Relationship Isn’t Organized Religion, and That’s Okay

Shabbat shalom!

Shabbat is a beautiful time of the week, the time we take our lives and direct it to the One who deserves our worship.

It’s also a day where we rest from our labor.

The Sabbath isn’t only for deepening our relationship with our King.

It’s keeping us refreshed for the next week, recharging our spirits, and helping us take time to meditate on spiritual things.

I’m spiritual every day of the week, but I deepen my relationship with Yahweh on the Sabbath.

Taking this one day out of the week is one example of having a relationship with our Father, who is in heaven.

But what separates relationships and religion from each other? Religious belief is about supernatural beings and an inclination to worship such, right?

Yes. But organized religion doesn’t mean having a relationship with the Father. Anyone can warm a seat on Sunday (if that’s your jam) or Saturday.

Does that mean they’re truly in worship and in connection with the Almighty, though?

I find God in everything: the mountains, the sea, the sky, the cosmos, an infant, a puppy, love—and even art.

It doesn’t take a specific belief system or set of traditionally defined rules to connect with God.

Speaking to God is one way to have that relationship with Him. Telling him what’s on your mind and laying it all down before Him. Prayer is an intimate thing we get to share with Him.

Sometimes, He answers us back, and while that sounds crazy to some, I know there’s a loving Creator who loves to be at one with His people. Signs are a real thing, and while we shouldn’t only trust in supernatural winks and guidance alone, He offers that guidance if we ask Him.

The Bible is full of these experiences, and the people who experienced them. It’s history, not some fairy tale. If God never changes, that means it’s still possible in our day.

I’ve had many experiences science can’t explain. Call them synchronicities, winks, miracles, the beliefs of a madman, whatever. It shows that the Creator desires that deep relationship with us.

Unbelievers will often think it’s religious woo-woo madness, but it’s a shame even Christians think miracles are something from the past.

I find it strange that when we speak to God, we’re being faithful, but if He answers back to our prayers or gives us little nudges, it’s wacky.

I want to acknowledge the reality of mental illness, but as believers, we should anticipate these experiences in our relationship with God.

The name of a soup can probably isn’t a sign.

Sometimes people need help.

But there are certain events I’ve experienced that I can’t explain without a supernatural intervention being involved. This has only strengthened my faith, solidifying my belief in the spiritual realm, angels, demons, and reality of a greater reality than this one.

Jesus said some “out there” things Himself. But He is who He claimed to be.

I’m sure many people today would label Him some things He would never deserve to be called. But hundreds of prophecies about His status as the Messiah make it statistically more likely He is the Son of God than if a hurricane swept through the coast and built the Taj Mahal with Genesis 1:1 plastered along the walls.

There’s more of a chance of that happening than Him not being the Messiah.

It’s about that relationship factor. Jesus had a strong relationship with His Father, seeing as He knew Him from before the world began.

And Jesus calls us to be children of His Father, perfect in love and kindness to all.

Everyone can partake in this relationship with God. He invites all of humanity.

There’s no special status needed to get in the secret club of prioritizing a relationship over a religion.

Religion is a beautiful thing. But serving God and honoring Him as an ever-present Father in your life is a noble goal for everyday living.

We walk into a dark room at night and flip on the light switch. We know it will switch on without a second thought.

But sometimes we don’t trust God enough that He will come through for us with less certainty than a half-second flick of a switch.

If we treat Him as a Father, one who loves us and is always in our life, He becomes a shining light, one we never have to switch on or off.

Ask yourself how you can improve that relationship with Him.

Religion is spectacular, but a relationship is far more important.