We Live by Faith, Not by Sight.

Religion...It's something a lot of people don't like to talk about. Why? Probably because they're afraid they will be judged, made fun of, or like me, they just don't want to cause conflict. Religion is a big deal to me and I'm ashamed to say that I don't talk about it much. Before you continue reading, remember this; I have many friends who believe something much different than myself or perhaps just don't believe in anything at all. I never have and never will judge anyone for what they believe because I think that's a huge reason why people are so turned off by Christianity. They continue to get judged and ridiculed for simply believing in something else, and that's not right at all. 


As I had mentioned in a previous post, my dad is a preacher and has been since before I was born. I won't get into a lot of how my childhood was because it involves people that probably don't want to be mentioned. However, I will tell you this. It was far from enjoyable. I went through a lot as a child and a lot that I will carry with me throughout life.


I had a jaded perception of what Christianity was truly about. I was always under the assumption that in order to have a relationship with God, you had to go to church every week, you couldn't sin, you couldn't have fun, and you couldn't do anything that didn't have to do with God.


So many people that I know also have this same assumption, perhaps, or one similar to it. They don't want to hear about God, or religion, or praying or going to church. But, if you'll take the time to read this...this blog post that no one is forcing you to read, maybe you will see the bigger picture. I have said many many times that I don't shove my beliefs onto anyone. But I will share my beliefs to anyone willing to listen. 


Being a Christian isn't about being perfect. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, not perfection. It is expected of us to sin and to make mistakes. The difference is, we're forgiven for those sins once we chose to let that happen and by letting that happen I mean having a relationship with God. God created you. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13 That's pretty amazing, if you ask me. To know that you were destined to be. 


Being a Christian is all about having a close relationship with your creator. It has nothing to do with being perfect. It has nothing to do with going to church every week. It has nothing to do with anything but being loved. It's that simple, but that's also what makes it so complicating, too. There are questions that go along with that, that sometimes can't be answered. But that's where faith comes in. "We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 Sometimes faith is all we have, and for me, it's all that I need. 


I guess having a relationship with God isn't something that can be explained. If it were, than everyone would believe, right? It's something that can't be physically felt, heard or seen. But it's what I believe.