How Will I Finish?

As many of you know, I grew up as a preacher's kid. Most of my life centered around the church.  I did what was expected by my church. I wore the church clothes, and I played my part. It was all I knew then.  My father was obsessive about the church.  It was his life.  Unfortunately, my father left the church after the organization leaders betrayed him.  The events that happened after over 40 years of ministry was the last straw for my parents.

I had my own path which also led to me leaving the church.  I was living a miserable life and suffering from severe depression.  A culmination of events caused me to also leave the church.

I left the church, but I didn’t leave God. I don’t regret growing up in church, I just regret that I didn’t encounter God sooner.  

I’m still figuring things out. I know I have hurt and disappointed people along the way, but I don’t think any of us gets through life without scars. This has been my journey.  I wonder many times how it will all end for me. I want to finish strong. I want my life to mean something.

Life is about our choices.  We all have free will to make them. Sometimes we make the right choice and many times we do not. We can only do the best that we can and make the decision on what we know.  The part that scares us is the unknown.  I have tried to learn to just keep moving forward and have faith that God will work things out.

I once listened to several preachers but now I only listen to a few. Sadly, when they become political, I cut them out. I don’t want to hear Christian nationalism; I want to hear from God. The audio Bible has often become my sermons now. Listening without being slanted by someone’s opinion.  

When my time ends, I want to say that I have finished my race strong.  

We are all getting older. It doesn’t last forever. We have to focus on what is really important. For me, my eternal destination is the most important thing to me. I have had my career, my adventures and experiences.  

Certainly, I have had some interesting stories about the church but I can tell you that you don’t have to be crazy or any sort of religious nut to have a personal relationship with God. You just have to talk to Him and open yourself up to the experience that only you can have with Him. You don’t have to be a member of a political party or even attend church. I have attended many hours of church, held many positions in the church and done the things that others expected but those things aren’t the main thing.

I heard a song recently and the lyrics say:

It ain't about the church clothes
It ain't about a big show
It ain't about the doin' up to measure up
To earn the love, Lord knows
Heaven ain't a zip code
Take me where the light goes
It ain't about the church clothes
Church clothes, church clothes

Your own relationship with God is the main thing.  It's the only thing that matters.  Don't neglect it or ignore it.  God doesn't want your perfect attendance in church, He wants you.