So we just finished having a great discussion, Holly, Lorena, Jack, and I, and I wanted to say I enjoyed it. I set up the text messaging thing for blogger right after the talk, so that maybe I would post on here more. This is more of a test text, but I'd like to talk about it more with you all.
Our discussion involved being disappointed in situations that we see..... and that led to ultimately discussing about what it means to really be in a relationship. Specifically that was about relationship with God, but we talked about how it should be very similar to how relationships with other people work. The only problem is that we are always taught that there is a destination of high intensity, being on fire, and being right and holy with God. The way to be in a relationship with God is to simply be in a relationship with him, no destination, just a journey. Almost like a healthy relationship with another person, or your spouse, but with God.
We don't get this message fully from our churches, and leaders. There are standards that have to be met, rules that you must play by, and goals you must reach. IT ULTIMATELY LEADS TO A FAILING RELATIONSHIP. When we teach those things, we are set up to have a crappy relationship. When we are changed to understand what God wants from us in reality and not what the church demands from us, we then have the correct stress and issues on our shoulders to bear so that it doesn't crush us into a false religion. The result is RELATIONSHIP. That is all God has ever wanted from us.
Having this understanding truly gives us the freedom that Jesus is said to have given us. No longer are we held down by an understanding that we have to do something to be with God, no longer do we have a guilty, negative, failing existence. It is then only about living your life, with God. Seeking him like a Father, or like a Brother, or like a Mother, or like a sister, or like a best friend or spouse makes it easier to understand the ups and downs that come with a real relationship and that also come with a relationship with God. No longer are you failing when you aren't motivated to read the Bible everyday, no longer are you sinning when you are just not in the mood to be involved in hyper intense worship today, no longer are you a rebel when you just don't want to go to church one week, no longer do you have to feel guilty for being in a mediocre rut with your walk with God. Ups, Downs, and Plateau's are all apart of a relationship. So is fighting and being angry at one another. So is laughing and crying together. Sacrifice is also part of a relationship. Commitment is also.
This understanding can be scary for some people because a lot of us don't know what a relationship looks like. The family system is destroyed in America these days, our Churches have taught us legalism and standards for the past 1500 years, and this idea that God just wants to be with us in our lives seems outrageous and we don't know where to begin. Maybe the situation that we are in because of these things is why rebellion, sin, hatred of God, and luke-warm Christianity is rampant in our world. We have the wrong worldview and the viscous cyclical pattern of misunderstanding and negative reinforcement keeps us from breaking out of the chains we have been wrapped in.
Could it be that we have been fed a distorted message of how to be with God, and what God wants with us?
Could it be that the very thing that God wants is simple and not complicated like we have made it?
Could it be that each of us would be so much happier in our lives and relationships with God and other people if we layered our knowledge of God with truth instead of distorted lies?
It is about the Journey we are in with him, not the Destination we are seeking. The destination is not achievable, however the Journey is unavoidable.
Relationships aren't easy, don't get me wrong. Although, the things we have been taught about how to be a True Christian are NOT possible, and being in a good, working, positive relationship with God IS possible!!
Thanks for the after dinner discussion Holly, Lorena, and Jack. I was very happy to express these opinions with all of you, and you inspired me to type up this text for the Blog. Mind you, the discussion we had lasted a few hours, so i summed the ending up here on this post. If you want to expand on this it would be appreciated!!
Our discussion involved being disappointed in situations that we see..... and that led to ultimately discussing about what it means to really be in a relationship. Specifically that was about relationship with God, but we talked about how it should be very similar to how relationships with other people work. The only problem is that we are always taught that there is a destination of high intensity, being on fire, and being right and holy with God. The way to be in a relationship with God is to simply be in a relationship with him, no destination, just a journey. Almost like a healthy relationship with another person, or your spouse, but with God.
We don't get this message fully from our churches, and leaders. There are standards that have to be met, rules that you must play by, and goals you must reach. IT ULTIMATELY LEADS TO A FAILING RELATIONSHIP. When we teach those things, we are set up to have a crappy relationship. When we are changed to understand what God wants from us in reality and not what the church demands from us, we then have the correct stress and issues on our shoulders to bear so that it doesn't crush us into a false religion. The result is RELATIONSHIP. That is all God has ever wanted from us.
Having this understanding truly gives us the freedom that Jesus is said to have given us. No longer are we held down by an understanding that we have to do something to be with God, no longer do we have a guilty, negative, failing existence. It is then only about living your life, with God. Seeking him like a Father, or like a Brother, or like a Mother, or like a sister, or like a best friend or spouse makes it easier to understand the ups and downs that come with a real relationship and that also come with a relationship with God. No longer are you failing when you aren't motivated to read the Bible everyday, no longer are you sinning when you are just not in the mood to be involved in hyper intense worship today, no longer are you a rebel when you just don't want to go to church one week, no longer do you have to feel guilty for being in a mediocre rut with your walk with God. Ups, Downs, and Plateau's are all apart of a relationship. So is fighting and being angry at one another. So is laughing and crying together. Sacrifice is also part of a relationship. Commitment is also.
This understanding can be scary for some people because a lot of us don't know what a relationship looks like. The family system is destroyed in America these days, our Churches have taught us legalism and standards for the past 1500 years, and this idea that God just wants to be with us in our lives seems outrageous and we don't know where to begin. Maybe the situation that we are in because of these things is why rebellion, sin, hatred of God, and luke-warm Christianity is rampant in our world. We have the wrong worldview and the viscous cyclical pattern of misunderstanding and negative reinforcement keeps us from breaking out of the chains we have been wrapped in.
Could it be that we have been fed a distorted message of how to be with God, and what God wants with us?
Could it be that the very thing that God wants is simple and not complicated like we have made it?
Could it be that each of us would be so much happier in our lives and relationships with God and other people if we layered our knowledge of God with truth instead of distorted lies?
It is about the Journey we are in with him, not the Destination we are seeking. The destination is not achievable, however the Journey is unavoidable.
Relationships aren't easy, don't get me wrong. Although, the things we have been taught about how to be a True Christian are NOT possible, and being in a good, working, positive relationship with God IS possible!!
Thanks for the after dinner discussion Holly, Lorena, and Jack. I was very happy to express these opinions with all of you, and you inspired me to type up this text for the Blog. Mind you, the discussion we had lasted a few hours, so i summed the ending up here on this post. If you want to expand on this it would be appreciated!!
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