I went back home recently and got to see all my family -- there's 14.5 of us now. (The .5 I have dubbed Lucy) I learned a lot from home but the main lesson was actually from my parents church. They had a guest speaker, and there was one part that I have held onto. Let me try to reiterate.
There is a lot of baggage to the word: Religion.
In today's society, I would rather say that I follow Christ -- not that I was religious. But what does religion mean?
Religion is an intense bond to the person, teaching, and actions of Jesus.
I want that.
Often we fail in/at something that God wants for us.. so what do we do? Try harder. When we always simply try harder it often ends in us failing... which leads to guilt... which leads to us trying harder. Are you with me?
I do this... Normally I do this when my emotions get out of control. I can be a very passionate person who feels strongly about a lot of things -- good or bad. When I hurt someone I tend to feel like I've failed and I need to try harder to control my emotions.
But wait.
What if we stopped trying harder...
and just
pressed into Jesus.
Out of the overflow of your heart, your mouth speaks. Luke 6:45b
If my life is consumed by the King of Kings, the overflow of my heart should slowly change to be more like Christ and less hurtful. I want to be like Micah 6:8: No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
But to desire that for myself and yet not feel the guilt when I fail, that means I have to stop trying and press into my savior.
There is a lot of baggage to the word: Religion.
In today's society, I would rather say that I follow Christ -- not that I was religious. But what does religion mean?
Religion is an intense bond to the person, teaching, and actions of Jesus.
I want that.
Often we fail in/at something that God wants for us.. so what do we do? Try harder. When we always simply try harder it often ends in us failing... which leads to guilt... which leads to us trying harder. Are you with me?
I do this... Normally I do this when my emotions get out of control. I can be a very passionate person who feels strongly about a lot of things -- good or bad. When I hurt someone I tend to feel like I've failed and I need to try harder to control my emotions.
But wait.
What if we stopped trying harder...
and just
pressed into Jesus.
Out of the overflow of your heart, your mouth speaks. Luke 6:45b
If my life is consumed by the King of Kings, the overflow of my heart should slowly change to be more like Christ and less hurtful. I want to be like Micah 6:8: No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
But to desire that for myself and yet not feel the guilt when I fail, that means I have to stop trying and press into my savior.
