Can I Get a Witness?
This weekend your girl went to church for the first time since 199_, yea, I know a looong time. Ok, that’s not completely accurate, I’ve been to church in the new millennium but more as a representative of myself, than by will. See I don’t count showing face at Christmas or for a baptism or funeral as attending church, just cause most of the time your mind is focused on the celebratory aspect of the service than the actual purpose of attending church- to serve the Lord.I am not the biggest Jesus groupie, just because there are aspects of Christianity that have me puzzled and second guessing myself but there is no denying that there is an unseen force that sustains and propels us to accomplish great things. As a spiritual, not religious person, get it right, I have faith that this force not only lies within us but in all things surrounding us.
Faith in myself as a person capable of all things is being challenged and reinforced as of late. I’ve been so comfortable settling for what is quick within my grasp. For example I’ll have a glass with water from the night before on my nightstand. I really want a cold refreshing glass of water, but I’ll just settle for yesterday’s lukewarm water because I’m lazy and don’t want to get out of the warm bed.
Although I’m not being wasteful by partaking of the stale ass leftover water, I am being wasteful, because I am withholding from myself thirst quenching satisfaction…can I get a….
Service and the sermon moved me, to say the least. I shed a tear as two sisters who had just returned from Haiti shared a testimony of how their family emerged from the rubble without scratches. Their faith in the Lord was strengthened as a result of the tragedy. If I had not previously connected on an emotional level with the Haitian nation, I did that day.
The Purpose is greater than the individual
I was so used to growing up and hearing sermons delivered about burning in the fiery pits of hell if I did not give my heart to the lord. Disliking the phrase “fearing God” and the scene from the Simpson’s where the devil eternally fed donuts to Homer in hell I began to position myself as far away from all the hallelujahs and Holy Ghost smitten speaking in tongue folks as possible .
I don’t want to fear anybody or anything. Fear keeps us from discovering and learning. And that fear I was taught over the years repelled me from the church.
I sat in the pews that Sunday giving the minister 110% of my focus. I willingly surrendered my beliefs (grew up seventh day Adventist) and opened up my heart and mind for that hour and half.
What I got was not the scripture twisted and manipulated to make me feel as though I was a rotten jezebel who needed to repent or burn eternally. I didn’t feel intense guilt for being out of the pews for years. I didn’t have life flash before my eyes making me feel a deep sense of failure. I felt like getting up and fighting. Not fighting anybody in particular, but fighting for …….my purpose.
We’re all here to fulfill a purpose I don’t care if you’re Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist or if you worship Lady GAGA…you are here for a reason.
- Challenge all pre-conceived notions about who you are with gentleness and respect.
- You cannot rely on others for approval
- Set goals above reach of people and circumstances so that when they attack they cant reach them.
The purpose is greater than the individual
What is your purpose?
What does this statement mean to you?
Religious, spiritual or neither?
Still on the fence,
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From the time I was old enough to repeat everything my parents said, my mum taught me to pray. Every night before bed we prayed. That being said she never forced religion on me. Parents went to a baptist church and I walked with my friends to catholic church. Though, like you, I stopped going religiously awhile ago, I still kept my faith.
I also recently attended church and it was great. I felt so good being there, the music moved my very soul. I’m thinking of going back more regularly. Might not be every Sunday or Saturday, but visits to churches with my friends.
I don’t go because of all the nonsense some preachers spew to make you feel like the devil incarnate, but I have my own personal relationship with God. I know my purpose. No matter how hard I try to run away from it I can’t. I try, but I can’t. So I do believe the purpose is greater than the individual.
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goddessintellect Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Before I lay me down to sleep…awww I remember praying with my mom before bed too, right after story time.
Church music does wonders for the soul, whether you’re religious or not..its just upbeat and motivational.
“No matter how hard I try to run away from it I can’t. I try, but I can’t.”
Does this mean you’ll consider joining the church as a regular member in the near future? Do you think that is part of your purpose?
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Nik Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I can’t stay in one place for too long. Black churches kill me with the all day worship, don’t get me wrong, I love me some Jesus, but wow.
And before anyone says, you stay in the clubs all night so why not church…not true. I hate clubs. I go for two hours and I’m out. That only occurs twice a year. I only do this to appease the friends.
My purpose…I always seem to be the helper! Always having to empower, inspire, and help people achieve some sense of self worth. No wonder that was the line of work I chose. Even when I quit, the clients find me in the form of friends, acquaintances and even strangers. I want everyone to be the best them. I’m a mother who’s never given birth. That’s my purpose. I take after my own mother and her mother.
[Reply]
goddessintellect Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I co-sign on your purpose…you’ve definetly come through for me and you do it effortlessly..its such a blessing to recognize your talents & purpose so early in life….
“I’m a mother who has never given birth”
Well maybe to a human but you give birth to inspiration and thats the foundation of life.
Re: Clubs & Church
I’ve never thought to compare the two, but I suppose you can because they are both places where you perform rituals…and the same superficial bull can be found in both “places of worship”…
Nik Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
You have a way with words Goddess, that’s why you’re the Goddess. You and I are very similar in a lot of ways, so maybe we share a similar purpose. You write, you inspire, and you get people talking and thinking.
You’ve inspired me to go after my goals this year and stop procrastinating a.k.a sitting on my big ass. So thank you for that!
Amen, Amen, AMEN!
I have to say that being religious and having faith, as you put it, are definitely two different things and KNOWING FAITH is a TRUE blessing! Being religious comes with the “nonsense”, comes with the obligations, comes with the fellowship, comes with the teachings and all the other things that keep us from or make us go to church/synagogue/mass/meetings etc! I am definitely a person with a lot of FAITH but not very religious. Let’s just say I have had my fair share of “religion” and just choose to cherish and develop my relationship with GOD and keep it moving. I attend Sunday Services as much as time permits, but I have my skepticms and doubts about specific doctrine/dogma/whatever. But I go to ensure my children learn what religion is, and start developing their own relationship with GOD. I think we all need that. As well, as like you ladies said, we sometimes just need that fellowship, or that music, or a good preacher to just make us feel whole again. Whatever anybody’s stance is, you definitely have to get to know your purpose. I have found many “purposes” for my life. As father, I am purposed to make 6 lives greater than they could be without any help. I am here to be a teacher, mentor and motivator to them. As a businessman, I am purposed to bring great service and peach of mind to my customers. So that they may be more productive in their lives. As a husband, I am purposed to develop a lasting and loving relationship with my wife. And give her all the things she deserves, as well as try to spoil her whenever possible. And as Black Man in the USA, I am purposed to provide a positive and productive example of our culture and its ability to output more than just criminals and/or deadbeats. So I have many purposes (maybe even more than the ones I have named) but I know that all together those purposes define who I am, how I live my life and what I can look forward to in my future!
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goddessintellect Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
This is hot…a man with a secure sense of who he is and why he is here…AMEN!!!!
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“We’re all here to fulfill a purpose I don’t care if you’re Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist or if you worship Lady GAGA…you are here for a reason.” … Lady GAGA? Funny but this is true!
I’m often confused when I hear someone say that they aren’t religious but spiritual. I like what Nik & Stylez say about it being a relationship. It is about your relationship & whether or not you hear his voice. I believe spiritual is about appearances. I struggle with the building fund, the missionary fund, the infighting too but I make it a point to attend on Sundays & on an occasional Wednesday bible study to stay committed. We are always energized & moved by the sermon on Sunday but you know we are tested & tried during the week before you can get to next Sunday! You have to find a way to stay engaged. I attended funeral services with my oldest son for a friend of his from school. The pastor delivering the young mans eulogy did not know him … my point is to not let the the doubts & issues you have with the church keep you from going, go get fed so you will have an umbrella covering you when you are sick, in trouble or in trial. Don’t let a stranger speak at your eulogy.
[Reply]
goddessintellect Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Mr.T to me being religious is being apart of organzied religion which involves adhering to a rigid set of prinicples & teachings. Rigid+goddess= doesnt work.
Being a spiritual person on the hand, to me is more of a free-based belief system. I find fullfillment in the church, enlightment in the scriptures, but I also go outside of that and mix it up,get my guidance and teaching from someone who may not necessarily pray to the same God a christian would. In other words I dont rely on the Holy bible alone to fullfill me. I have yet to find a church who understands that part of me…so I mean the search continues. I had a great time at that church and will go back but its not in my town unfortunetly.
“We are always energized & moved by the sermon on Sunday but you know we are tested & tried during the week before you can get to next Sunday! You have to find a way to stay engaged.”
Its so wild that you say this, because pastor was saying the exact same thing….now, how do I stay engaged?? lol
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Yes you can get a witness. Hmmm HMMMM! LOL I know me personally I am what you call a Jesus Freak. (Or trying to be.) Anywho, I was raised in church just like you but since moving on my own I haven’t been as much. Mainly because I am not close to my home church. I have been to those churches where they teach that but thank goodness the church I attend is not like that. I know some of the purposes and plans for me involve serving Him. I am building my relationship with him and I am gonna be looking for a church close to me. Hopefully one day you will find one that suits you because some churches be hoopin and hollering and they aren’t talking about nothing. So try to find a Word teaching church where they come straight from the Bible nothing added on. I enjoyed this post and comments. I love how everyone has their own type of relationship with him and I am sure he appreciates that!
Side Note: Happy you are back!!
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I love this post! I was brought to a church with a childhood friend. We too were scared when we were told to “Fear God”, but after growing up and gainging understanding I know that Fear in the bible means, to Respect.
I’m a Christian, I have somewhat of a relationship with God. But I need to start going to church.
You’re right everyone is here for a purpose. I don’t know what mines is. But I’m sure God will make it clear to me.
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