Today in business class I got upset at a classmate who read my invitation to my book signing and commented that I was referring to religion too much and said people would be offended who weren’t believers. I took real offense to this critique because nothing that I have written in the book Then Sings My Soul describes religion but describes the spiritual journey that I’m on. I really felt incensed about this and became defensive with her. She is not a believer and said so.
I read her the definition of religion = a belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. Definition of spirituality = the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. Then I said, “My book is about the Soul.”
I am at a loss how I could have won her over as a believer in Jesus Christ but for me, t I know that Jesus is a relationship, not a religion. I state that several times in the book. You can’t win souls for Christ if you’re angry about how people interpret words or how certain words conjure up negative feelings or experiences for people. A lot of people, I realize, have been damaged by religion as was I at one time. I have healed from that trauma thank God! However, I can no longer hide my relationship with God and put Him in a box and act like He is not the reason why my life has elevated. I used to do that and my ministry wasn’t prospered and abruptly came to a halt. I will not deny my God anymore.
I go to a 12 step program where we believe in a god of our own understanding. My God has healed me, delivered me, provided an awesome life for me and blesses me abundantly beyond anything I ever could have imagined for myself. 7/22/20
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.” John 10:27 – Jesus