Not Religion,, JESUS

This video impacted me in so many ways.

I was the “religious” person years ago. One who didn’t live a life for Christ, had no room for Him in my life. I thought I could handle life all on my own, I was saved, what else did I need Him for?

I believed the church was full of hypocrites, ones who judged on first impressions and never truly got to the core of someone’s soul. And there were times I was right.

I refused to step foot into church after the experiences I had had. I felt so conflicted being in church, as if I had to put on this persona of someone I wasn’t. Through my darkest years I needed Jesus so desperately, and the ones closest to me that “went to church” simply told me what a disgusting sinner I was. I couldn’t stand the ridicule; I couldn’t stand to sit in a place where the people had no idea about suffering, heartbreaking trials. And if they did, if they had experienced the evils of this world as I had, they pretended as if they hadn’t. It made me sick.

They made me think church was a “museum for good people” and not a “hospital for the broken.”

I was the broken, and I needed JESUS. I needed healing.

But, what I failed to see was the true nature of each of us as humans—we are all SINNERS.

We are each in desperate need of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Those that wanted me to pretend to be something I wasn’t, it’s for them that I now boast in my weakness, because I AM FORGIVEN and it feels so stinking good.

It is the sweetest most amazing feeling I’ve ever experienced. To know what He delivered me from, to know the angst and heartache I experienced at the hands of this world—I can’t help but shout His grace to this world; the one that shunned me for the sins they themselves hide every day.

Religion is the infection, Jesus is the cure. Religion keeps people from coming to the cross, Jesus IS the cross.

I don’t want to be known for my faith simply because of my facebook, I want to be known for my faith because I am the one redeemed by His grace. I am the one who lived such a life separated from Him and yet He COMPLETELY changed my life. I am the one who was undeserving of grace, yet freely received His grace.

The most important aspect of my life, the best and most amazing part, is the Jesus that lives within me. He’s not something I hide; He’s the one that drives my every motive, my every thought, my every action.

He is my LIFE!