A Christian Conundrum

I spent my life seeking spiritual stability and peace. Looking back, I can see why I was so drawn to understanding my human behavior through various spiritual practices. A deeper part of me knew I needed help, but I did not know where to find it, so I began searching in ways that were socially appropriate - therapy, dharma teachings, motivational books or content, anything that could lead me out of the struggle I found myself coming back to when things got hard. It was safe to say that I was able to find relief through these modalities, but it would be short-lived and be limited in helping me heal something deep within me. It was not until I was open enough to explore faith and a relationship with God that led me to what I was seeking from the very start.

No one really tells you what it is like to come to faith.

I feel like the focus becomes on salvation and saying yes to Jesus as our Savior, but in my own personal experience, it is so much more than that. I know that any believer you speak to will agree with that revelation. We are not meant to identify ourselves in anything where fear is the motivating factor. I do not want to be a Christian and follow the rules of religion because I am scared to be condemned to hell if I don't. Being someone who has faith in God is positioning yourself to understand that it is beyond culture's way (culture/society) and church's way (religion) as Pastor Dharious Daniels likes to put it. Pastors like Myles Munroe and Mike Todd also lead to undersanding God in a Kingdom mindset vs. the religion that many get stuck at when understanding what it means to follow God

According to Change Church, which is led by Dharius Daniels, this third way of living is what sets us free from the limitations and regulations of living within the options of humanity and religion. According to their podcast, Pastor Daniels begins by setting the stage with a biblical foundation, referencing Matthew 11:28-30. He emphasizes Jesus' invitation to burdensome individuals to find rest for their souls by embracing a new path—The Third Way. This approach is distinct from the two prevalent ways of living:

1. Culture's Way: Often characterized by secular pursuits and self-reliance.

2. Church's Way: Defined by ritualistic practices and religious formalities.

3. The Third Way/ The King's Way, as Pastor Daniels articulates, is about integrating faith deeply into every aspect of life.

Faith is beyond claiming to know Jesus and checking off the boxes for being a "good follower of Christ" (ie. attending church or following rituals and tradition). Although finding community and participating in traditions encourage a deeper connection to your faith, living a life of faith is much more expansive and life-giving beyond what we do within it.

Faith is a practice, a daily humbling of yourself to know you don't know it all and that you don't have to control the outcome of what is already predestined. It is a practice of trust, hope, and surrender that allows our hearts to soften and love in a way beyond human capacity.

Faith in God is not limited by what you can do but becomes an expansive experience of depth, understanding and gratitude that, at times, can even be emotionally overwhelming.

Faith is experiencing life completely in alignment with God and His divine purpose over our lives. It is not woo-woo. It is not defined specifically by political affiliation, race, or socio-economic class, and it is definitely not what we assume it is through our lens of bias that can be influenced by others opinions and experiences in their own faith, or in most cases, non-faith journey.

I think that ignorance, specifically on the topic of what it means to be a person of faith, has been my biggest struggle I have faced since my choice to believe in God. I can feel the tension of being limited by other's idea of who I am because of their misunderstanding of what I stand for. It is hard when you don't grow up having a faith community and step into one as an adult. There are a lot of changes and loss in relationships that once were part of your life before believing in God.

The reality is, you either believe in God or you don't.

You can't make God convenient for your comfort.

You accept Him in who He is, whether or not we agree with what we know about Him.

You accept Him willingly despite what others will think about you.

All in all, there is a clear struggle of becoming more aligned with God at the sacrifice of being aligned with people. It is inevitable if you come to faith, it will put pressure on relationships that have been established with you not having it. For us people pleasers, it becomes the ultimate test of alignment and alliance when we have to choose between God and our faith in Him and with the people in our lives that don't understand our choices.

So what is the point of all of sharing all of this?

I share this because I find myself in a Christian conundrum - do I identify as a Christian when I know the definition of what it means to be Christian is beyond accepting and following Jesus Christ and being in a personal relationship with him? Do I accept the Christian label and experience the rejection, retaliation and refusal of others because of it? Do I understand that being a Christian means that I will ultimately know that I will live a life that is misunderstood by many and that despite what others think, as long as I am steadfast in my love for God (in the same way He is for me), that there is nothing to fear about when it comes to the opinions of others?

Having a faithful practice isn't a destination we strive to get to but one that is a process of becoming more like Christ while understanding that God, and being in relationship with Him, is beyond the religious rules and cultural assumptions that keep us from knowing who He truly is.

In the debut book of The Starting Point, the topic of coming to faith and experiencing isolation, changes in relationships and finding identity in God is discussed.

Purposeful Practices:

1. Do you find it easy or difficult to share your faith with others? How does it feel to share your faith with those who don't believe and when you do share, do you find yourself being able to share openly or do you find yourself restricting what you share about your faith?

2. Have you noticed changes for yourself, or maybe in others, that have gone on a faith journey? What did you notice? How did they move through it? How did it impact you?

3. Dharius Daniels speaks about Third way living. Listen to his sermon about Third way living here and write down any notes that stand out to you. The Third Way on Youtube.