The last few days were pretty yucky, but yesterday was pretty cool. My AC went out (not the cool part), but decided that if I was going to have to sit around in the heat, I wasn’t going to do it in my place. So I had my quiet time with God, and then while trying very hard to not be grumpy about the heat (being hot is a real weakness for me) I took to the streets of downtown. I decided I would walk around, enjoy the sights and the people.
But during my quiet time before leaving, I had asked for a divine appointment. It doesn’t happen to me very often, but not because God doesn’t do it, but because I’m usually not the one that just naturally awaits it. But today was different.
I went downtown, hot and sweaty as ever, and I kept hearing my name. I finally found the source, and watched as a guy ran across the street towards me. It was a man I hadn’t seen in a good 7 years!
I was shocked to see him, and yet at the same time there was no real surprise, as I immediately understood this was the appointment God had created. We sat out in the sun, as he told me what he had been doing all these years.
He had a successful business, a family, and good friends. I was so happy to hear this, and as the exchange of funny stories died down and the laughter began to finally subside, I looked at him and asked him straight out to tell me about his walk with God.
For a few moments, he just lowered his head and chuckled to himself. I was slightly befuddled. He told me that last night He told God that he had enough with church!! And that he was tired of the hypocrisy and that he felt God never spoke to Him anymore. He hated his church, he felt it had lost perspective, and was feeling like he was “going through the motions” and no longer responsive to the Body or God.
On the way to take a stroll downtown, I was listening to a song. Parts of the lyrics are something like this…. “If you’re tired of tradition, and religion has done you wrong. You’re feeling dry and empty, and there’s no longer a song. The story is not over, things for you can change.”
I was beaming on the inside. God is so cool. I requested a divine appointment from God, and not only did He answer my request, but he had prepared me for it. As the lyrics ran through my head, I begun breaking down some things that I picked up from such simple lyrics to him. It’s amazing how God can use the simplest thing to prepare us for the times in which He wants to use us and work through us.
Religion is man made, but God is not. Therefore we should never outright trust or put our assurances in man. Paul said it. David said it. John said it. And, if you cannot trust in man, then how can we trust in religion — a spirit born from complacency and tradition? True faith in God brings you strength and peace; not complacency or hypocrisy. Putting our faith in man is an error that can have dire consequences. Man will disappoint us, man can confuse us — just like the numerous denominations birthed from varying beliefs that make up religion; and confuses the senses and the comprehension of a thirsty soul.
I won’t go into all the details, but when we were done talking, my friend had a new look and fresh perspective on God’s will and intention for the church body as well as ourselves. Even I learned a few things that were revealed as I spoke to him. It was an awesome time, and a time that God truly had ordained for us to connect, and be able to edify one another in true fellowship. It was beautiful. And I have complete faith in God, that even now my friend’s heart and outlook is far different and far more stronger than before our encounter yesterday.
Like the song said, the story isn’t over… We aren’t to conform to tradition, or religion that is man-made. God wants us to confirm to His spirit, and to the truth and love exhibited by Jesus.
