Separate Ritual from Relationship

For many years, I lived a religious life and not a Christ-centered life. I didn’t realize there was a difference, that I could be religious without Jesus. I finally had a true “religious experience” – albeit heavy on the “experience” and light on the “religious.” I surrendered control of my life to Christ and was able to separate ritual from relationship. Making this shift unraveled me as grace began to fray every edge of my neatly tied knots. It gave me clarity I had been missing for decades, and I fell in love with Jesus. Slowly, Jesus started transforming me and He hasn’t stopped. Like a rough gemstone, He’s been polishing me and I’m learning to reflect His light. He’s purifying me the way a silversmith might purify his treasure which, honestly, can sometimes be pretty painful. But I trust that He won’t leave me in the fire too long.

“To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33 NIV)