Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Religion with blinders.

I'm a new christian. When does the feeling of "I'm doing it wrong" subside? Am I supposed to feel differently? I do, but only my mind-set. I am thinking differently. Trying to not rely on myself. Trying to not stress about every little detail (like I usually do). It comes and goes. Some days I am better at it than others. Today is a day I'm feeling lost. Feeling a little like I'm not doing what I should be. Feeling like I have a lot of questions that are unanswered. It would be nice if God could send me a note with pros and cons of how I’m doing and maybe answer some of my questions. I know, I know.

Church lately has not been helpful. I know not the only reason for going to church is for self-fulfillment, but I do think it is a part. If you are not being fed scripture and expanding your knowledge I feel church has no purpose. Now please don't misquote me. I already said that was not the only reason churches are around. I understand they are to create a family where all can worship together and serve others. The actual service you go to at your church is not the only point; however I do believe it should be a vital part of the picture. One should look forward to worshiping with your church family and grow through that to serve and become a larger part of the church. Like if the egg or the chicken thing, I'm not sure if one or the other is more important because they work together. But I do know (as from what I'm currently experiencing) that if one is missing you feel incomplete.

I used to think having a religion was attending church every week. Singing along made you seem interested. And if you had the service memorized that really meant you were listening. Every Saturday night, if you were raised like me, you would visit church. Go in, do your thing, and leave. Be sure not to talk to anyone. No wonder I didn't enjoy it, what kid wants to spend their Saturday night at mass with their parents who believe teaching their religion includes making their kids read the Old Testament. It's amazing I actually found my way back into a positive form of religion. I thank Gods creativity for that one. To save a person who had (still has) such a negative view of certain religious aspects is just amazing. I didn't even know creating relationships at church was something people did until about a year ago. I am not saying my parents had it wrong. From what I see, they have meaning in their religion. I hope they do. And if not, I pray God uses me to show them otherwise. Continuing on though, I’ve gotten sidetracked. Religion has changed dramatically for me over the past few years. I’m now experiencing frustration because I desperately want it to be a vital part of my life (or the part of my life), but I’m doubting my knowledge. I keep second guessing what I know and how things should be. And honestly, most of the time I doubt something I know I come to realize that what I believed was wrong. It just makes me wonder what false assumptions I’m going off of that are also wrong. Really, I just want all the answers and I want them now. Not possible, I know. Ok, so I need to practice some patience. Don’t you just love talking yourself in circles to find the answer you’re looking for? I'm glad my religion blinders were removed. Despite all the questions I have, it is better than what I used to be.

1 comment:

the Roths said...

I just stumbled across your blog and I've been reading some of your recent posts. I didn't realize that you were a new Christian! Please take that as a compliment-- I only mean that I've seen you around for so long and you are so involved in worship team that I just assumed that you already were a believer.

I appreciate your thoughts about church and religion. Tim did not become a believer until college, so we talk about these things a lot. And it can be overwhelming no matter how long you've trusted in Christ! I know you don't know me well, but if you ever need anything or have questions I could help answer, please let me know. My email is jeana_roth@sil.org.

Jeana