Doing things with a purpose
So many times as a minister, mentor, and coach I am invited to many different engagements. Some of these situations are good and some bad. I have attended other situations that are happy and some often sad. It is easy to go because you are being invited to be a part of some ones important event. I have come to realize that many people live very traditional lives and for the most part that is ok I guess? However in the bigger scheme of things I don’t know that living in this tradition is something that God would consider fruitful. Take for instance a funeral; it is tradition to wear black as a sign of morning. This was true for the Old Testament but not necessarily true for those who have received Gods grace through Jesus death. We are to celebrate the person’s life not be depressed about their passing. This is not to say that we won’t be sad about it but how much of this is what we have been taught wrong. In God there is liberty and freedom and to understand death is to know that when a person dies they are with God immediately; 2 Corinthians 5:8. So with this in mind I have seen many things traditional things happen in religious settings that just don’t mesh with Gods heart. I have heard that people believe all religion is the same but it really is not! With this being said for some reading this please don’t judge my heart rather judge the word of God. I was in a setting recently and when it came time to take communion It was denied me because I was not part of this particular religion that claims to be Christianity. As a minister of the gospel I am here to tell you that the bible does not deny anyone communion unless they are not a believer at all. So when it comes to tradition and trying to mesh religious ways with true relationship with God they will never mix. To say that religious ways of living are the same as having a true relationship with God is not correct. For as much as we want to believe that all practices are the same they aren’t. I go into many situations pretty open because I know that God has me there for more than one purpose. I think that I have a pretty open mind about things however when it is off I will say something about it. I often wonder about the message I am sending people with my different actions. As I was being told that I could not take communion I responded by saying “I would like some juice and crackers!” Now this was very jokingly but a few people responded by saying; “right!” now I don’t believe that they wre believers of any sort but even they knew something wasn’t right. So what am I saying about all of this? In this life you will make many decisions that mean something. No matter if it is college, marriage, religion, relocating, careers, and many more. No matter what it is make if purposeful. If ever in a situation where you are asking yourself why am I doing this? Then you probably should re-evaluate why you are doing it. Please don’t do religion because it is what your family has done that simply won’t cut it when it comes to true relationship with God especially if your life does not bare the fruit of God. God is full of life not tradition! God loves to mess up routine. God has never been in a box and will not be put into one either. God is not on our time schedule He lives outside of time. So dare to have a relationship with God which may entail you never setting foot into a “church”. God is not religious and does not want to be referred to as religious. He created mankind for relationship and when Adam and Eve separated themselves from Him by partaking in the fruit He had a plan for our redemption. This came through Christ and when He stepped on the scene he shook up the whole religious establishment. Many are living in the times before Christ and the sad reality is that we were made whole and free with is resurrection and don’t even know it, because religion and tradition is more important than true relationship with the Father. I know this is somewhat heavy and may even look like I am pointing out certain religions but I am not! I am pointing out all religions! I will say to all who read please step away from a ritualistic way of living and seek to please God in a true relationship with Him. I am not sayin to those who read to never go to church, however many have told me that they would never step foot in a church. So if they can’t find God there it does not mean that they can’t find God.
Until next time be encouraged and seek God for yourself.
D