Developing a Self-Sufficient Faith
The question “What faith are you?” Or “what faith do you belong to?” Is a question we ask to identify what religion a person belongs to. If you were to ask me that question (I may squirm uncomfortably) and answer “Christian.” I am not ashamed of my faith but I think the tag christian can come with so many assumptions or stigmas.
When we talk about faith we tend to think about rituals and worshipping. We think about ‘dos’ and ‘dont’s’. Even in many christian circles the word ‘faith’ can be performance related. We can easily slip into just ‘taking the leaders word for it.’ Do you check that what has been conveyed is accurate? Did you check that it was conveyed in the context of which it was written? With such an important subject as afterlife, allowing a group to heavily influence your truth can be so dangerous in any faith. What am I saying? Explore your faith singularly to find true peace in it. Do not be dictated to or depend on a religious leader to navigate you through it but take the time to know exactly what it is you believe and why.
It takes strength to go against the crowd sometimes, especially when you start asking questions but that’s such a small price to pay for acquiring the truth. The truth will navigate your whole life. It will be the basis for every decision you make and even shapes your identity if belief is strong enough.
The Birth of My Self-Sufficient Faith
How do I know what I’m talking about? Well I’ve been there. I was brought up in church and left in my mid-teens. Looking back now, I realised that there were so many ritualistic and habitual things that we just didn’t question. I honestly don’t cry about it now because I’ve learnt from it but we just went with the majority. My awakening began the moment that I didn’t want to go anymore and it was reason that I questioned everything. I fearlessly began to explore my faith and the reasons for my belief system. The biggest question was why? Why do I believe what I believe?
I actually challenged God to reveal Himself to me. I started reading the Bible and found so much that I hadn’t seen before. I would never have seen the Bible in this light if I had still been dependent on any of the leaders. I’m not saying that I stand in protest and shake my head every time I attend a church service but my perspective is different. I listen and explore those scriptures myself and if they’re accurate then “hurrah!” If they’re inaccurate then I search for the truth and what’s amazing is that I learn so much more by searching myself. Nowadays I view my church leaders as guides just pointing in the direction to a closer relationship with God and the rest is upto me. So there you have my story.
I say all that to emphasise the importance of the right perspective. This is the perfect foundation to build a healthy and true connection with God. Every other perspective just leads to regrets (“oh if only I thought for myself”or “look what I missed out on” because I wholeheartedly absorbed inaccurate belief system). Or the saddest, blissfully unaware of the damage that earthly leader dependent faith can have. I’m not trying to associate with a religion I’m more focused on a fruitful and intimate relationship with my creator.
„I am not trying to associate with a religion but I'm nore focused on a fruitful and intimate relationship with my creator.“
- yours sincerely sal -
Yours Sincerely,
Sal
