#Relationship vs #Religion  vs #spiritual

So often I hear people say "I'm not spiritual, but I'm religious" or vice versa. Others would say that they would like to religious but it is just not for them. The past two weeks I've been pondering about these concepts more and more.

Wikipedia describes religion as a cultural system of behaviors and practices, worldviews,  sacred text, holy places, ethics and societal organisations that relate humanity to what anthropologist has called "an order of existence "
84% of the world's population is affiliated with one of the 5 largest religions, namely Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or forms of folk religion.

Spirituality, on the other hand, is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such it is a universal human experience that touches us all. The term "spirituality" originally developed in early Christianity referring to a life orientated towards the Holy Spirit.  During the late medieval times, the meaning broadened to include mental aspects of life, while in modern times the term spread to other religious traditions.

Christians often confuse religion with spirituality. Jesus didn't come to earth and died for us to have religion but to bring us back into relationship with God the Father. Going to church or merely just believing in God doesn't bring us into a relationship with God. 
Relationship is defined as the way in which two or more people or things are connected or related to one another.
The Hebrew word Yada (pronounced Yaw dah) meaning "to know"  defines it so beautifully. 

Abraham understood and knew how beneficial it would be for him to know God. He pleaded with God to know Him intimately. Exodus 33:13 (NIV) If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. 

I absolutely love my children and I know them very well. They have their own personalities and characteristics. I can tell when they are sad, not feeling well or when they lie to me. I can pick up cues from the sound of their voices. This is only possible because we spent a lot of time together and I've been a part of their lives since they were born.  The same is with God, the only difference is He knew us from before the beginning of time. He knows our thoughts before we can even think it. And He knows what we need. Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV); Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart. 

David writes in Psalm 139:1-3 (NIV)
You have searched me, Lord and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Wow isn't it just amazing knowing that God knows everything about us! That He knows what we need, love us in spite of knowing the wrong we are about to do or say. He is with us through every situation, in every trial; protecting us, loving us and guiding us. He loves us completely. Now that is relationship! Jesus modelled that to us in the gospels. He didn't come to give a set of rules to live by but He modelled a life of love and grace. He came to love the unloved, heal the brokenhearted, set us free from the bondage of sin. He showed us how to live a life above reproach and to put us in right standing with God the Father. 

Wouldn't you rather have a relationship with Him? Set religion aside and run into the arms of Abba Father. Spent time with Him, read His Word, for without it we won't know what He is saying.

Shalom