"Religion is a man thinking of fishing in church. Spirituality is a man thinking of God while fishing."
-(Can't Remember)
-(Can't Remember)
I've seen countless declarations on
people's facebook account talking about how kindness is their choice of
religion. To live in simple happiness and treat one another with
kindness. Others also claim that all major religious groups promote
kindness and good behaviour so it doesn't matter which path you take.
Still a group make it their priority to "just be".
Recently I've been questioning what exactly do I believe in and how does that affect the way I see things in the larger scheme of things. I got to admit this came from encountering Jason Mraz's blog. Jason Mraz is an advocate for equality and freedom of speech; he's also a strong vocal campaigner for all things pro-earth. But it's his brand of spirituality that I find most fascinating.
This is a man who's really in touch with his spirituality and his place in the world. To a certain extent, he knows his purpose and what he's suppose to do in his limited time on earth. The ironic thing (or not) is that many of his points of view, I find you can trace it back to the Bible and Jesus' teachings. At this point, people will ask me in a snide manner, "Will your God condemn him to hell?" And truthfully, I've been tackling this issue for a couple days.
First of all, I don't know why people have this idea that as Christians, we would relish the idea of telling people they're going to hell.(Also, God doesn't "condemn" anyone, it's our personal informed choice where we want to go) Or that we have the authority in the first place. I would then point out and ask what their idea of Heaven and Hell is anyway. But that's another blog post for another time.
So I brought this up with God and I think I was trying to be like the pharisees. "Is it enough to just know there's a higher being but not knowing the name? After all, there are countless people in secluded areas who may not be as savvy as us who live in non-third world countries." I was trying to find excuses for people like Jason who may not neccesary reject God, but just embrace other school of thoughts. (He grew up in church) Nothing wrong with that right?
But it was no use. In the end, you cannot not acknowledge God and what He has done on the cross. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200 until you acknowledge that fact. You just can't. And I don't like it anymore than you do. I wish there's a loophole somewhere. Maybe in the end when all's said and done, God will save everyone. Maybe.
I do believe that people are connected to God in a way when they're in touch with their spirituality. They may not have a name for it or maybe no one told them about the Good News, but that connection is there. For me, it's more important to give people the chance to make informed choices and not blindly jump into something they might regret later. Prefably they can have a real encounter. Nothing beats that.
I do believe God is merciful and is also looking for ways to go, "I can accept that." Like a kindhearted teacher trying to pass her students by looking over the exam papers over and over again, searching for the additional point that makes 50%.
Apologizes for the long spiel, but I strongly believe that this is a particular burden/issue that God has placed in my heart. Rethinking my faith, rejecting religion and replacing my Jehovah over everything I take for granted just because people say it's so.
Jason taught me, strangely enough to cherish my spritual connection with God and focus on that. In the past year, God taught me that He can change hearts in His own timing - we just need to be faithful. And for whatever reason, my burden to pray for this particular individual resonates strongly in my being. So I will intercede, focusing not on where he's going in the afterlife but more on his relationship with God in this now time.
Because everyone deserves a second chance. And then some.
Recently I've been questioning what exactly do I believe in and how does that affect the way I see things in the larger scheme of things. I got to admit this came from encountering Jason Mraz's blog. Jason Mraz is an advocate for equality and freedom of speech; he's also a strong vocal campaigner for all things pro-earth. But it's his brand of spirituality that I find most fascinating.
This is a man who's really in touch with his spirituality and his place in the world. To a certain extent, he knows his purpose and what he's suppose to do in his limited time on earth. The ironic thing (or not) is that many of his points of view, I find you can trace it back to the Bible and Jesus' teachings. At this point, people will ask me in a snide manner, "Will your God condemn him to hell?" And truthfully, I've been tackling this issue for a couple days.
First of all, I don't know why people have this idea that as Christians, we would relish the idea of telling people they're going to hell.(Also, God doesn't "condemn" anyone, it's our personal informed choice where we want to go) Or that we have the authority in the first place. I would then point out and ask what their idea of Heaven and Hell is anyway. But that's another blog post for another time.
So I brought this up with God and I think I was trying to be like the pharisees. "Is it enough to just know there's a higher being but not knowing the name? After all, there are countless people in secluded areas who may not be as savvy as us who live in non-third world countries." I was trying to find excuses for people like Jason who may not neccesary reject God, but just embrace other school of thoughts. (He grew up in church) Nothing wrong with that right?
But it was no use. In the end, you cannot not acknowledge God and what He has done on the cross. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200 until you acknowledge that fact. You just can't. And I don't like it anymore than you do. I wish there's a loophole somewhere. Maybe in the end when all's said and done, God will save everyone. Maybe.
I do believe that people are connected to God in a way when they're in touch with their spirituality. They may not have a name for it or maybe no one told them about the Good News, but that connection is there. For me, it's more important to give people the chance to make informed choices and not blindly jump into something they might regret later. Prefably they can have a real encounter. Nothing beats that.
I do believe God is merciful and is also looking for ways to go, "I can accept that." Like a kindhearted teacher trying to pass her students by looking over the exam papers over and over again, searching for the additional point that makes 50%.
Apologizes for the long spiel, but I strongly believe that this is a particular burden/issue that God has placed in my heart. Rethinking my faith, rejecting religion and replacing my Jehovah over everything I take for granted just because people say it's so.
Jason taught me, strangely enough to cherish my spritual connection with God and focus on that. In the past year, God taught me that He can change hearts in His own timing - we just need to be faithful. And for whatever reason, my burden to pray for this particular individual resonates strongly in my being. So I will intercede, focusing not on where he's going in the afterlife but more on his relationship with God in this now time.
Because everyone deserves a second chance. And then some.
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