Missing it

Oppression: to wear away, “to wear out,” as one would wear out a garment.

I found myself sucked into religion again. This week, I had done all the right things. I had discipled others, loved the poor, prayed for the sick, lead in church, and spent time with God—yet, when I paused long enough to stop, it felt like Jesus was far from me.

I battled with myself. My head knows that “God is not far from any one of us,” (Acts 17:26), but my heart felt sad at the thought that I hadn’t felt like I had been with Him. Mentally, I recognized that HE had been with ME (Matt 1:23), but a tear fell down my face, as I realized, that I was the one that hadn’t been with Him…and I missed Him…

Unknowingly, I had become obsessed about doing religious things, doing the right things. I had been working to gain Jesus’ love and attention, and by doing so, I had missed the gospel completely. Being religious is dangerous because it’s an action that has grown attached to Christianity, without a correct definition to match what Jesus really cared about; relationship with Him.

Not that there’s anything wrong with doing good things. In fact, Jesus even asked us to-- He asked us to take care of the poor, to love those in front of us, to give to those in need, and to enjoy the fellowship of believers—but He asked us to do that WITH Him…not apart from Him. Somewhere along this week, I let “task mode” get the best of me, and though I achieved a lot of great things, it was all in vain, because it was done without my Savior: meaningless.

We assume that by being good religious people, we are making improvements in our Christian walk. Moving onward with our religious works, we allow our focus to shift. Often times, by being religious, it looks like we’re all about Jesus, but removes the person of Christ and, thus, the very relationship that He died to gain for us. See how sneaky Satan is? If he can get us to think about religion, more than we think about the person of Jesus, he distracts us just long enough to have us think we’re moving in the right direction until we look back and realize that we’ve left Jesus far behind.

When religion creeps in, it removes Jesus off His throne and places you there instead. Now, you, are sitting at the center of your life—desperately trying to take rule, reign, or control over your own life. Whether you want to do great things, for good people, or merely try to take back control over your life that feels chaotic, and “shakey,”—and you’re tired. You’re tired because no matter what you do—you can’t measure up. You will never be enough, do enough or control enough to bring your life into order. You can’t live up to Perfection—because you threw HIM, off His throne. But there’s good news for me, (and for everyone else who have found themselves caught in this cycle): God is not far. We need only to repent of our pride and invite God back into the center of our lives.

God, I repent for losing my focus. God I repent for doing all the right things…without YOU. Thank you God that you were still there with me, even though I had forgotten you. God I want to be friends with you. God would you open the eyes of my heart that I would see you this week. God would I see you when I’m doing dishes at home. God would I see you when I’m driving in the car. Would I see you when I’m sitting on the couch, walking in the neighborhood, spending time with friends, or just talking with You. God I say that you are The most important One of my life, of my week, of my day.  Help me Lord to see you in everything I do, think and see. I love you.