“I hate all this silly religion, but you, God, I trust.” Psalm 31.6
“All around me are people who have never known you God. All around me are people who see you through formal institutions that God themselves church and look more silly than real. You are more than that I know! You are bigger than rituals, and strict rules of conduct. You thoughts go beyond the simple regimens dished out each weekend. You care about us, who we are I know. It cannot just be our pocketbook, our behavior, and our formal allegiance! You are a God of love, right? You are a God of the people!”
The list of what is wrong with any group is easy compile. The problems are all out there for everyone to see. Leaders are human, far too human. Institutions make decisions that hurt rather than help.
In church institutions, worship consists of routine rituals with little content of spirit and truth. As true as this is, I don’t think David’s comment was a criticism of the temple structure of his day.
In business when you want to know the source you follow the money. In religion when you want to know the source you follow the passion. What is your passion?
One can define religion as the central consuming pursuit on an ideal or belief. Institutions reflect leaderships, or a majority constituent’s, central passion. Whatever the passion is there the religion follows! Wherever the passion is people gather.
I have a thirst to be with people who share a passion to know and have God central in their life. I want to worship with people who are on a quest to know God. I need to experience a true spirit of passionate God pursuit. I believe every person I meet shares the same thirst and God need.
My role is to listen long and well enough to understand how God is already working in their life. Mine is a role of nurture, not map setting!
I hate silly religion. I love God. God loves you and I.
