Unfortunately, sin has found a way to leak through the seams of our world and contaminate every part of it. As soon as we entered into the world, sin also entered us. However, nothing is as pure to me as a newborn taking it's first breath of life. Everything about that baby is so honest; he cries when he's hungry and sleeps when he's tired. We need to get back to the organic way of life and go back to being naked as we came.
So many times Christians put on a fake smile and try to come up with a few convincing words of what God is doing in their lives at that particular season. We have an unspoken law between us that says if we don't have a positive outward appearance all day every day, then the Holy Spirit couldn't possibly be living inside. But here's the catch: we may be fooling people that are around us temporarily, but we can never fool the God of the Universe. He knows every part of us; every struggle that we face, every need that we have, every reason we have for being joyful. He knows them all. More than that though, He would love nothing more than to have us spill out our raw, honest, gut feelings to Him.
There were times when I used to struggle with being real with God. After all, what if He doesn't like what I have to say? I learned the hard way that carrying the weight of doubts, worry, and shame can produce a huge burden that we have to carry around. That was never God's intention.
Yesterday, I was doing some sight seeing around the city of Granada. One particular church stood out to me and I saw the doors were open, so I went in to explore the beautiful architecture. It wasn't long before I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere it contained. I do not know much about Catholics at all, but I know it has a good deal to do with following rules. I saw people at different statues that were reading prayers from a booklet that they were carrying. There were very graphic statues of Jesus' death which was a little intimidating to even approach to be honest. Everything there felt so serious, so religious, so uninviting.
The Nicaraguan Church is all about rules that must be followed to prevent a person from going to Hell. Even the Christian churches still have a very political background about them where everything the preacher says you have to do, and should do it exactly as he says. It's all about getting people to church and keeping them there. They believe that if you leave the church or do not agree with and follow the pastor, you go to Hell. There is no Christianity apart from the church. There is no freedom.
In being here, I am reminded of the personal and intimate Jesus that I serve. I am so thankful that I can approach Him and talk to Him whenever I want to, knowing that He wants to lovingly guide me in the right direction and comfort me along my way. I hope that everyone sees the importance of taking off the mask of religion, and persuing an honest and open relationship with God. He wants us to have childlike faith where we simply believe and trust that He is able and that He loves us with agape love.
I believe that God wants to give us freedom, but we can't accept that freedom if we hold on so tighly to what we clothe oursleves in (shame, pride, religion…) and just stand naked before our Creator.
