Just Because I Don't Follow Your Version of Religion, Doesn't Mean I am Without Christ

People amaze me. They think just because my life isn't going THEIR way, because I'm not following their version of religion, or that because I'm struggling in life, it means I've strayed away from "the holy spirit" and I'm not living my life "right." I got a call from someone yesterday, who nonchalantly assumed I've tried to "push the holy spirit out of my heart"...

Well I've got news for you. People struggle - God himself puts us through struggles with good reason. The Bible is full of stories of faithful, Godly people who've struggled. I'm waiting this one out to see what it is he has planned. My faith is still strong, possibly stronger than ever, and just because I don't follow the ridiculousness of the religious right's version of religion, it doesn't mean I'm without Christ.

Just because I'm not in church doesn't mean I can't have a relationship with Christ. My temple is a gospel based temple - it is my heart, my body, my soul. It is not a bible based temple, which was eradicated when Christ came and brought forth a new covenant... Christ in the new testament compared the church to the wind -“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Life isn't perfect. "Proof" that you are living your life "right" by who ever's standards doesn't always flow in the form of bountiful blessings. God tests our faith... he tests our love. For me, that is what he is testing most now. My ability to remain faithful in the storm... during my first marriage we never really faced a lot of storms - I had the perfect house, the perfect car, everything was "as it should be"...  at least by society's standards... we had some financial struggles... we had more marital struggles... but for the most part I had it under control.

Also, he is testing my ability to love the way Christ wants us to love one another. To learn how to care for others no matter their circumstance, and not judge them based on their current trials. Instead of this "unchristian" notion that many Christians seem to have that they should shun people or judge them when their life is less than perfect.

I know I've made mistakes in my life -- but last time I checked, I'm human. Last time I checked, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but it is also how we learn... last time I checked, Christ went to the cross for our sins... and last time I checked, I've learned from my mistakes. As for my current move, I can't say it was a "mistake." Did it go as I planned? No. Do I have some regrets as far as how things happened and what has occurred? Yes.

But I keep going. I keep trusting and having faith that God is still working. Just because blessings aren't "pouring out" and I'm facing a lot of hard struggles, doesn't mean God isn't working. Just because I've taken a difficult path in my life, doesn't mean God isn't with me. I pray that whatever happens, I know I've tried my best... and that if I lose all hope and things don't go as I pray they do, that God's plans are better than my dreams.