I've read some interesting things lately. Things that I relate to one hundred percent. They spoke of the gloom and doom air of Christianity. The way non-believers and skeptics look at us as though we walk around in fear of breaking sets of rules. The fear of confining our lives, thoughts, actions, words, and evolution of our being. Let me elaborate.
Most Christians live very productive, spiritual, Godly lives. Nothing wrong with that, I commend them. But personally, I have realized that most of these people also confine their own souls. How so? Think about every human impulse or desire one can experience. We've been taught that any of these desires that don't align with someone else's preconceived notion of Christianity must be Satan. The paradox is that these desires come from your inner being, your soul. We've been taught that wanting to make a lot of money, sexual thoughts, or yearning the night life are all the work of the devil. That's pure nonsense. It's the nature of human impulse.
Confining yourself to only one way of thinking also confines your ability to think, enlighten, and evolve as a human. Does not being scared to embrace what others relatively deem "bad" make me love Jesus less or follow his teachings less? Absolutely not. When I say embrace, it doesn't mean I go out and partake in such things. It simply means I don't make myself feel bad or convict myself for being human. Your Christianity is not based off how often you can ignore desires to gain the approval of your fellow Christians or authority figures. If you're constantly worried about if others approve of how you live, you'll never actually live.
Now that's not to say act on every single impulse and run around sinning like a maniac. It's not a cop out to justify foolish deeds. But, to ignore your own thoughts that speak to your own individuality is tragic. God created us all different. We all have our own values, ideas, and insight just ready to come out.
We're not here to all think, talk, walk, and act the same. Being a Christian, seeking God, and listening to your soul is a different journey for everyone who looks to do so. God gave us the power and ability to think on our own, and constantly re-create ourselves in a way that we see fit. Ultimate spiritual happiness comes from your journey to be one with the Lord, not from others opinions on how to do it. I'd rather think on my own, form my own ideas, and create myself in a likeness that makes me happy instead of constantly worrying about approval from those who are not in my shoes.
I am not a halfway Christian looking to justify my shortcomings. After all, we all fall short, right? I am simply saying don't convict yourself next time you feel a desire that isn't in accordance of what you've been taught by people who are not you. You're free to think on your own, form ideas on your own, for your soul is your own. Doesn't mean I run around having sex with every girl I see, doesn't mean I am a slave to alcohol, and surely doesn't mean I don't follow Jesus any less. I'm a fan of thinking. And when you decide to confine your own thinking in favor of what others have told you is "right" and "wrong" is not Godly. If God wanted us to all be the same, the creation power he gave us would be obsolete. I urge everyone to use that power to be an individual, not a conformist.
