From Religion to Relationship
Religion is a system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and moral codes that are followed in devotion to a higher power or divine truth. It often involves structured institutions, sacred texts, rules of behavior, and communal worship.
But here is the key:
Religion is about reaching up to God — through effort, rituals, traditions, and rule following. All of it is to embrace God in every aspect of our lives.
Religion comes in many forms — Catholic, Mormon, Muslim, Buddhist, even New Age spirituality.
Each offers different rules, rituals, or paths to “be better” or “reach the divine.”
But for many, these systems feel heavy — full of expectations, sometimes shame, yet empty of real peace or connection.
13 “Then the Lord said,
'Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,’ 14 Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous;
And the wisdom of their wise men will perish,
And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.’”— Isaiah 29:13-14
This passage from Isaiah reveals something deeply important:
God is not impressed by words or religious routines. He sees past the appearance of worship and looks straight into the heart.
“Lip service” and “tradition learned by rote” describe religion that’s been reduced to habit, not relationship. It’s following rules, attending services, or saying prayers without intimacy or connection.
And in God’s response, He is saying:
I am going to step and do something amazing that will get people’s attention.
Not by more rules or rituals, but by reaching people in ways they can’t ignore — through love, truth, and moments that open our eyes. Sometimes life shakes us. Not because God wants to hurt us, but rather we live in a world shaped by human choices, pain, and brokenness.
Even in the middle of that, God wants us to draw close to Him. But He is NOT calling us into more tradition — He is calling us into relationship. One where your heart is known, seen, and loved.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33
That is what relationship looks like — not ritual, but real peace in the middle of real life.
Why Religion Is Not Enough
Religion teaches about God, but only relationship lets us experience Him.
Rules may shape behavior, but they can’t heal a broken heart.
Rituals may point toward truth, but they can’t carry you through grief, fear, or loneliness.
Traditions may honor God, but they don’t always lead to knowing Him personally.
Only relationship reveals:
God’s mercy when you fail
God’s grace when you don’t measure up
God’s love when you feel unworthy, unseen, or unsure
Because Jesus didn’t come to create a new religion.
He came to make a way for you to walk with God — person to person, heart to heart.
“I no longer call you servants… I have called you friends.”
— John 15:15
I used to believe in God... but I was scared of Him.
Growing up Catholic, I thought I had to earn my way to God by being “good enough.” I was ashamed of how often I failed. I was afraid to open the Bible, because I thought it was just a book that showed me why I was going to hell — a reminder of how far I was from measuring up.
Confession scared me too. I’d sit there wondering, “What if I didn’t say the right thing? What if I forgot something? Would God still forgive me?”
But the hardest part was this:
I kept repeating the same sins over and over again… and I thought I was too far gone.
That is what religion felt like to me — fear, pressure, guilt. Trying hard, failing again, and wondering if God was still keeping score.
But when God opened my eyes and pulled me out of that spiritual blindness, I saw something I had never seen before:
Jesus didn’t die because I was good enough. He died because I was not. And He still loved me.
God was not asking me to perform for Him. He was inviting me to receive the love He had already proven — by giving His only Son for me.
When I finally saw that, I realized:
I didn’t have to hide
I didn’t have to be perfect
I didn’t have to earn anything
Because Jesus already took all my unworthiness — and gave me His grace instead.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus?
To follow Jesus is to remind yourself daily: He loves me. He is my peace. Nothing has the power to steal that peace—unless I let it.
It’s a choice. A moment-by-moment surrender to trust Him, walk with Him, and believe that His presence is greater than any storm around me.
We’re so used to giving in to the stressors of life—relationship tensions, unmet expectations, unexpected setbacks.
Even when things seem to be going “okay,” our minds still find something to worry about, something to feel empty over.
But following Jesus offers another way. Not a life free from difficulty, but a life where peace isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s anchored in Him.
Reacting in the Flesh vs. Walking in the Spirit
To follow Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll never feel anger, fear, or frustration again — but it does mean you begin to respond differently. Not just from our emotions or instincts, but with the help of God’s Spirit.
There’s a difference between living by impulse and living by the Spirit.
Reacting in the flesh might look like:
Speaking out of frustration and regret it later
Holding on to bitterness because forgiveness feels too costly
Being consumed by anxiety instead of trusting the unknown to God
Seeking control instead of surrender
Needing approval from others rather than resting in God’s love
But walking in the Spirit looks like:
Pausing before reacting, asking God for help
Choosing to forgive even when it still hurts
Breathing through the anxiety while holding tight to His promises
Surrendering the outcomes to God, knowing He’s faithful
Living from a place of security in Christ, not from the need to prove your worth
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16When Life Feels Too Heavy to Carry
Maybe you’ve felt so overwhelmed that you’ve wondered if life is even worth continuing. Maybe the thoughts have crept in:
“Would anyone even notice?”
“I just want the pain to stop.”
If that’s you — please don’t carry this alone.
God sees you.
Even when your thoughts feel dark.
Even when you don’t feel worthy of being loved.
Even when you’ve made mistakes that feel unforgivable.