Faith or Religion

It's Easter week - holy of holy days and the time of year that is split between the sorrow of Passion and the elation of the Resurrection.  This is the week that always makes me pause and reflect on what my faith is all about. 

So many people intermix the terms "religion" and "faith".  But in my mind and life they are very different. 

My faith is my relationship with God.  My faith is that state of being where I know who and what I am.  It's my awareness of my identity as a Christian. It's that space in my life where I talk to God the Father as my Daddy, Jesus the Son as my best friend, and the Holy Spirit as my true and faithful guide.  I don't know who I would be or how I would survive this life without my faith.  I have always lived my life steadfast in my faith.  It is who I am.

My religion is my community.  It is the place I go to worship and praise.  Religion is where man (and woman) wrestle with and interpret the rules of engagement with life, each other, morals, society, and sometimes God.  I must admit, I have not always been steadfast in my religion.  I have spent days in my youth questioning the purpose of such an institution, particularly when I would see those who practice it in church, turn right around and disregard it in the street or in their homes.  My religion is where I go and what I do.  It is not who I am.

So, this Easter, as with all others, I am pleased to reflect and ponder on the greatest sacrifice and gift - the life of Christ, laid down for mine.  I am looking forward to living my faith in my house of religion.  May you find your peace and faith in the house of religion in your life.

Be blessed with the knowledge that you are loved, you are freed and you are saved in Christ Jesus.

Remember Who You Are

Do you ever sometimes forget who you are? Not your name. Not your family. But your faith - do you forget that you are chosen because God created you and He loves you? Sometimes I think it is so easy to forget just who we are.

I think about this as I approach problems and questions. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in seeing the problem that I forget the next step - looking for the solutions. If we always stay stuck in that space of identifying, naming, categorizing, analyzing, giving name to our problems it becomes bigger and stronger in our mind. Take for instance finances. I used to think so much about what the next bill is, when it's due, how much or little I have in the bank to cover it, etc. I never actually moved passed the stage of being in awe of the size of the problem. I never actually remembered that who I am is a child of God. I have the protection of the Creator of the Universe behind me. I have the creative power that He rendered to me at birth, in His likeness. I just need to look for opportunities to use it!

Sometimes the solution is in renaming and reclaiming my power. Be it over destructive habits (in this example, spending or not saving). I sometimes forget that this life is about creating and about possibilities. The possibility to see things from a different angle. The possibility to count my blessings instead of my sorrows. Yes, it's a lofty ideal if it's just that - an ideal. But when I put it into practice - when I really and truly look for and count my blessings, big and small, it overwhelms me how truly loved I am. All problems seem to regain their proper perspective and new ideas and new solutions come into my consciousness. Not because the problem went away but because I remembered who I am and who my source is. There is nothing that can overcome me if I have my eyes, my heart, and my gratitude on the Lord.

So, friends - remember who you are and look for the grand possibilities that exist in this world to overcome.

Be blessed!
Barb