Lately, I've been spending a great deal of time studying the Bible, and the deeper I go, the more I begin to question certain things I've been taught. I'm discovering layers of meaning that I believe have been overlooked, misunderstood, or perhaps even misrepresented over time.
I have a very close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God. I don't go anywhere without them, and I don't say that lightly. Their presence is something I carry in my heart each and every day.
I've come to believe that Jesus Christ wasn't simply teaching religion. He was teaching us something far deeper. So much of what He taught came through parables, riddles, and lessons that required people to look beyond the words themselves. I believe He was guiding us toward understanding who we truly are, where we come from, and the divine connection we share with our Creator.
Consider what Jesus Himself said:
John 10:34 (KJV)
"Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"
And the scripture He was referring to:
Psalm 82:6 (KJV)
"I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."
These are powerful words, and I believe they deserve far more reflection than they often receive.
What was Jesus trying to teach us? Was He inviting us to recognize something profound about our relationship with God, our spiritual nature, and the responsibilities that come with being children of the Most High?
As above, so below. As within, so without.
To me, these words speak to the connection between our inner lives and the world around us.
I don't believe I need to enter a church every Sunday to prove my love or devotion to God. I respect those who worship in church, but my relationship with God isn't confined to a building, a particular day of the week, or a religious institution.
My faith is something I live, not simply something I declare.
Every single day, I try to demonstrate that faith through my actions. When I'm out in the world, I look for opportunities to help others, to show kindness, to offer compassion, and to make someone's day a little better.
I don't believe in doing one good deed and calling it square. I believe in making kindness a way of life.
With every step I take, I try to ask myself, "What would God want me to do in this moment?"
And then I do my best to walk that path.
I'm not claiming to be perfect. I make mistakes, I question things, and I'm still learning. But I believe that growing closer to God requires us to examine ourselves, seek truth, and put love into action.
Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God being within us in Luke 17:21. That passage has become especially meaningful to me. I believe there is something profoundly important in understanding that our relationship with God is not merely external. It is also deeply spiritual and personal.
I believe we are connected to our Creator in ways we may not yet fully understand, and that recognizing this connection should inspire humility, compassion, responsibility, and love for one another.
Perhaps one of the greatest lessons Jesus was teaching us was not simply how to follow a religion, but how to become the people God intended us to be.
To love one another. To forgive. To seek truth. To stand for what is right. To help those who cannot help themselves. And to recognize the dignity and worth of every human being.
I don't pretend to have all the answers, and I don't believe any one person holds every piece of the truth. That is why I continue to read, study, question, pray, and listen.
My relationship with God is not measured by how often I sit in a church. It is reflected in how I live when I walk out into the world.
And if I can leave this world having made even a small difference in the lives of others, having walked with kindness, compassion, and faith, then I believe I will have spent my time here pursuing something truly worthwhile.
Because for me, faith isn't just about believing in God.
It's about living every day in a way that honours Him.
And that is the path I choose to walk.