I read a passage the other day that said spirituality is chosen whereas religion is often forced! Nailed it! Most of us can relate with growing up under old fashion traditions, being forced to go to church, girls wearing dresses and no chewing gum in church, women allowed in the pulpit…to name a few things!
Although the intentions were good, spirituality wasn’t taught! It makes me look back and see how a person can disconnect so easily! The spirit must connect with God. In my opinion, religion looks like doing the wrong thing while spirituality leads you to do the right thing! Spirituality is very delicate because it requires constant grooming and nurturing. I believe that there’s a level to it. The more you nurture, the more connected you are, and then the flesh is controlled by the spirit.
This makes me think of an old hymn, have you got good religion! Religion required no real effort or being truly one with God. From my own experiences, religion made me feel like just because I went to church on Sundays, prayed a few times, and appeared to do right by people, that I was a good person and going to heaven. However, I knew that I still had spiritual cleansing to do! Religion doesn’t stop you from judging people, it doesn’t stop you from thinking your sin isn’t better than another person’s sin. Religion requires a church or congregation, but spirituality means you can serve and pray anytime, anywhere! Religion is whatever you desire it to be, but the spirit is delighting in truth, peace, and purpose! Religion was like a change of clothes; oh, this is what I feel like today so I am wearing it.
Religion unites those who have the same beliefs and abide by a set of rules. It seems that there is no room for growth, or you need permission to grow. For me, it is abiding by a set of rules that shrinks who you are because you are submitting to something that God never intended for you. Being led by religion had me staying in a physically and emotionally abused marriage. After the first black eye, my pastor said I should not leave my husband because we are married. I didn’t read the word or understand for myself, I was trusting in his position that he was advising me to do what is right and best for me. After the last black eye, I didn’t consult the pastor and after a few years of ups and downs, he finally filed for divorce. Yet, I still wanted to try but I was concerned about how I would look, not married with kids, good religion right!
Spirituality focuses on the soul! It cleanses the soul and purifies the direct relationship with God. You don’t need a middleman to connect with God! See God allows free will, while religion places boundaries, and control on people. God says come as you are while religion says wear this and that. I’ve witnessed people literally walk in the church with whatever they had on and those people who were religious frown and judge but those who relate to the spirit, approached those people, offered and introduced themselves! Religion lets you forget where you came from and that you often walked the sinner path too! Spirituality reminds you to be thankful you came a long way and that you can empathize with those trying to make the same journey.
I’ve grown to understand very dearly when they say, “The Church that is, never was!”
Always allow your spirit to lead, grow because religion tears down churches, homes, marriages, sanity, families, and relationships! Being spiritually connected provides peace, true love, discernment, true forgiveness, joy, and welcoming all to be in a better place mentally, physically, emotionally, and physically!
Biblical spirituality means to be born of God (John 1:12-‐13; John 3:5-‐8; 1 John 4:7), be changed by the grace of Jesus Christ (Rom 12:1-‐2), surrendered and obedient to the Spirit, living according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4-‐11), and consequently empowered by the Spirit to draw others to find life in the Spirit.
Katrina Williams