What Does Religion Look Like?

Like most of you, I have long fought the idea of being "religious." I have been passionate in worship, faithful in personal study of God's Word, and sincere in my attempt to live what I believe. I have considered myself to be zealous and even a bit radical in my faith. My picture of a religious spirit included a huge stone church with a mile-high steeple and stained glass windows. Hymns were sung, prayers were repeated, and the sermon was kept to a perfect 25 minutes with everyone home by noon.

I was wrong.

God is doing a deep work in my life. He is revealing the religion that lives (hopefully, LIVED) in me. I now realize that religion wears many faces. It can be the four people "soaking" in God's Presence in the livingroom of a home; a radical preacher shouting Scripture on the street; a charismatic worship service or a prayer meeting. God has redefined what religion looks like for me.

Wherever we stop and build an altar in our journey with God can become religion. Sometimes we think we have finally arrived at the place/revelation/experience God always meant for us. We return to this place with God faithfully, without realizing that there is still more road to travel. There is more of Him to know. There are greater depths of passion and understanding. There is a greater oneness with Him to walk in.

This is what I did without realizing. I have never stopped seeking God, BUT I sought Him the same way, expecting to experience the same thing. I suddenly realized that if the creatures around the throne cry "Glory!" because of on-going revelations of His beauty and awesome power - His brilliant glory - then there must be more I can know and experience of Him today.

A restlessness has entered my soul. I am opening my heart wider than ever before. I am turning down the distracting noise. I am open to God manifesting Himself as He wants to - to being surprised by Him. I'm not looking for an experience (a vision,Word, shaking, or being slain in the Spirit, ect). I'm just seeking HIM. And in this process that is so deep and new, I am being changed.

I am just a little past my last "altar" and this portion of the journey is still fresh for me. I don't know where this hunger will take me. I do know that already my values, personal convictions and perceptions are being changed. I am growing increasingly comfortable with silence. Things are becoming clearer. I also feel a softness and tears that is somehow sweet. He is so near and dear.

So where is the journey taking you? Let's take this road together...