Baring My Soul is a category of writing where I share a personal piece of my life’s journey in an effort to do my part in maintaining connection because when we share our stories, we let someone know that they are not alone.
I remember so vividly seeing the movie Life of Pi (before I read the book) and admiring Pi’s steadfastness and his desire to know God in all ways. There is one particular scene where he says “I just want to know and love God.” From the first moment I heard that line, it was indelibly etched in my heart because it perfectly described my outlook and relationship with The Creator.
I have never known anyone as a child who chooses their religion, spiritual practice, or the absence of either or both. We are born into families and more often than, not we grow up believing in and serving the God our family believes in and serves; Of course, we all have to know God for ourselves and when that journey truly begins, some choose to stay in the teachings on which they were raised and spiritually nourished while some open themselves to alternative paths.
Religion and spirituality are powerful tools consisting of various doctrines and practices, and most, if not all, are rooted in a desire to connect and know and follow the teachings of a force that we believe is the most supreme - God. The God I serve is not interested nor impressed by the path in which you get to him or her - God wants your love. God wants your faith. God wants your heart.
I write this to encourage or affirm wherever you are in your spiritual journey. My prayer is that you know and love God for yourself. Amen.