"Religious People"

Someone at work yesterday was describing a person that they knew and their house. Interestingly enough, they said that her house was odd because their were so many pictures of Jesus and crosses everywhere. I guess I had a weird face as he was describing this, because he immediately back-pedaled and said, "what? that's what your house looks like too?" I laughed a little. First of all, because he's actually been to my house and knows that while I do have a cross and a lot of verses strung about (mostly because I need to be constantly reminded of my roots in Christ), my house is far from an archaic monastery to the Christian faith. We both laughed, and he went on to explain to me that "I can deal with religious people. But that is just kinda creepy." This kind of took me by surprise. I guess I never really bothered to think too closely about this fact but I have always been mildly disturbed by any depiction of Jesus. Crucifix are creepy to me, yes. Understandably. Its a depiction of a largely naked man with long hair strung on an ancient torture device. Yes, I understand that is a depiction of my Lord and His tremendous sacrifice for me and for every little thing that I have ever done wrong (and believe me, there are a lot of things!!) But there remains some lack of what I feel that I would really see in the face of my Lord. Something of the love and sadness shining from His eyes that I think I would see as He bore all my stupidity in His perfect body on a shameful cross. Something of that look that would melt your very soul and you would know that He looked clear through you. A haunting look as you knew He felt the pain and death of every sin that you had ever committed.

I hate the term "religious people". To me that means people who rely on works to get them in good with God. Or people that hypocritically go to church on Sunday and live the rest of the week without any mindfulness of Christ's love or sacrifice for their sake. Some of the most annoying people to work with at my job are those that come in to do bible studies or church services for our resident's. They are pushy and rude without much consideration for the inconvenience of staff or residents alike, even those that they are supposed to be serving. I get the feeling that this is another thing to cross off their list. They are the people that have a fish on their car and blatantly cut you off in traffic while simultaneously honking their horn because they think you should be going faster than the set speed limit. I think of them as the people that give Christians a bad name. They show up for "religion" as a habit or as a moral obligation. Maybe they used to feel passionate for the God's love, but they sure aren't showing it anymore. I hate the thought that I could ever fall into that category. In fact it makes me shudder.

That's probably why, when anyone asks me if I am religious, I say no. Then I proceed to explain that the relationship that I have with God isn't something that can be defined as just "religion". Its not saying a rote prayer and attending some service. What I have is the Divine as a best friend. How can you adequately explain that as "religion"? Religion can mean anything from Muslim, Buddists, Hindus, to witch-doctor type practices.

I don't want to ever be seen as one of those "religious" people, but invariably it will happen. I shall have to explain it all again, which I guess is good. Be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have in you right? But somehow I wish I had a light bright enough for people to ask what was different about the kind of "religion" that I have. Maybe someday I'll get there. I know God has a lot of work to do in my life before my light can shine that bright I think.