30 Day Challenge: Day 3 (and 100th Blog post!)

Day 3: Your views on religion (yes, I realize this is the topic for Day 4, but since today is Sabbath I made the executive decision to switch days 3 and 4)


I went to write this blog and realized this is my 100th blog post! Woohoo!

I'm not really sure what to write about this topic, since a later topic is about my beliefs. I'll do my best to separate the two. My religion is pretty much at the core of everything I do. Well, that's my goal anyways. Unfortunately, I'm sure that isn't always true, but I attempt to make my decisions based on what Jesus would do.

Many people have argued recently that they "love Jesus, but hate religion," but I personally don't resonate with this. While I do agree that too much stock is often placed on the "rules" of religion, I also feel that there is value in religion. My religion is one way I show my devotion to Jesus. Not because He'll be angry if I don't, but because He first loved me. I feel like He has given me the opportunity to fellowship with like believers at church, and that the "rules" instigated by these institutions seek to create order among errant humans.

No structure and lack of organization can make for chaos. I believe the church originally instituted rules and structure in an attempt to create an environment where distractions were eliminated and people could received a blessing to the fullest. Unfortunately, we fallen humans sometimes take this too far, putting more emphasis on the rules and structure than on the people who are supposed to benefit from those very things.

My church and my religion are part of my very core. I wish people could learn to embrace religion while not placing it on a higher level than God's people. For now, I will follow the advice of Ghandi and seek to "be the change I want to see in the world."

Don't forget to check in on Jolene...