Lesson 28: Lose your religion, that's not what God wanted anyways.
So I'm not sure why, but I feel like I really need to write this. I feel like God has really put this on my heart and he's really working on me. I hate it when people who are Christians say that they are "religious people". Or even people who say "I'm just not religious anymore" or "religion just never worked for me".
First of all, the word "religion" or "religious" is mentioned less than 10 times in the entire Bible. Don't you see? Christianity has never been about being religion, it's about being in a relationship with Jesus. There are people in my life (even family members) who have fallen away from God. They say, "I felt like I couldn't be myself when I was a Christian" or "I felt like it was holding me back".
My question is how and why did you feel that way? This person might answer "Well, because I wanted to please God and be perfect for him and He put those expectations on me. I just could never live up to those perfect standards. It was God who made me feel that way."
With me still? Now, this is where I may step on some people's toes. But I have to be honest. You. Are. Wrong. God never wants His children to feel that way. He loves us unconditionally, flaws and everything. He just wants us to be with Him and love Him too.
The correct answer is this: the devil. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." -1 Peter 5:8 I talked about this in my past blogs before, but I believe with my whole heart that the devil is the biggest liar and accuser. It's him who makes us feel guilty and like we can never live up to God's expectations. He's the reason people feel this way. He's that little voice in our head that says, "You are not good enough. You are worthless. You must be perfect to please your God."
That's the biggest lie ever and over half the world believes it!! I guess the overall message is this:
If you "lost" your religion. Good. But, come back to God! He wants you! Begin that relationship with Him again, He's right behind you waiting for you to turn around! He knows you're not perfect and He loves you no matter what. It may take time, but that's the wonderful thing about having a Lord, Savior, and Dad who is patient with us and wants us to succeed.
Now, this part is for myself and other "religious" people. We need to let it go. God does not want to be part of our check list. He doesn't even want to be the top priority in our lives. He wants to be the center. He wants to be involved in everything! So please, include Him in your daily lives and not just part of your day or week. He doesn't need us to do this, but, like anyone, He wants it because He wants to be loved.
Lose the religion, and start a relationship.
With lots of Love,
~Alyssa
