I have personally had this struggle and still conquering it day by day. I use the word religion, but it is simply put for me in the form of “perfectionism”. The same authority and discipline being raised up in showed me that as a leader, all the responsibility and blame fall on me. I don’t know about you, but for me, a lot of fault meant I would grow up with one mission… PERFECTIONISM. My goals in life were determined based on the thoughts of another broken soul who lead me in life; or many I should say. Naturally it would be a little backwards right? As you can imagine, as a broken and hurting woman coming into the faith, it wasn’t something attractive when you hear the stories of “religion” throughout the old testament and the sinners of that time. My pursuit for perfectionism led me to a harsh reality as read more about the religious leaders of the generations. They got it wrong just like me? Even them? Even those who He called according to His purpose? No way, right? Yes, it is in His truth.
Can I have a moment of Confession… FOR YOU!
By now you are probably trying to deny the perfectionist bone in your body. We all have one to some degree. What is your “religion”? What is it that you have believed that has molded your view of the world, yourself, and even the possibility of a true God? Is it religion and rules? Is it perfection? Is it pride? Is it a victim mentality? Listen brothers and sisters, you are not alone. The religious leaders who walked in the “times of Jesus”, couldn’t get it right either. But don’t reject Jesus the way others did just because of a false sense of perfection, unrealistic expectation, or dare I say, even a false ideation of life that has been molded by offense and pain. According to the bible, all Jesus ever wanted to do, and still wants to do till this day, is love all God’s chosen people. In spite of ourselves, He knew then we were never going to be perfect, and still wants to have relationship with us. That truth still remains today. Whether you believe in God or don’t believe in God, my experience has shown me what I know both in and out of the faith; I wasn’t always a Christ believer. The one thing that always remains, GOD IS PERFECT TO ME, THOUGH I AM NOT, and so is His love. By faith we believe, because it is available to us individually. We are knit together by the same God who says you are loved too, why not?
Isaiah 43:1
“ Listen to the Lord who created you; the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”
Psalms 40:6
“You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings…I understand you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.”
Hosea 6:6
“ For I desire mercy and not sacrifice… And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
CONFESSIONS FROM THE OTHER SIDE 