We need to do a much better job of accepting people whose faith looks different than ours. There's way too much judgment going on between religious groups. Some of us have belief systems that allow us to eat everything, and some of us have belief systems that allow us to eat everything except meat. This isn't a cause to start having theological debates to prove that one belief is higher than the other. Everyone interprets the scriptures (or whatever text they're using to grow spiritually) differently, so don't think that one belief is completely right while the other is completely wrong. This God's not waiting for us to believe the right things in order to love us. This God's not looking through a lens of how well we're eating or not eating. Do we really think we're so right in our beliefs that we can tell other people how wrong they are? Everyone has their own conception of God and no two conceptions are exactly alike. But depending on how we perceive this God makes a huge difference in how we trust this God. But remember, this God isn't co-dependently waiting on us to trust, but is helping us to stand firm and do for us what we can't do for ourselves.
Some of us hold certain days as sacred, while others hold every day as sacred. The most important thing in all these issues is, are we as individuals making our spiritual growth the top priority in our lives? Our beliefs are what help us make sense with the Invisible-But-Present-and-Compassionate God, so if some of us eat meat, it's because somewhere down the line we found that it wouldn't hinder our ability to grow spiritually. Some of us decided that holding one day as set apart from the rest was something that would help us grow spiritually. And others of us decided that not eating certain things would help us grow spiritually. So, all of us are doing unique and wonderful things to improve our spiritual lives - to die to ourselves more so that we can experience the freedom that comes through being in tune with this God's rhythm. And Jesus showed us that God loves us independently of how spiritually alive or dead we are. The point is that we're all invited to tap in to this life-changing power, this new design for living.
So, why do we judge our fellow humans? Why do we walk around with grudges and resentments? If all of us are prone to really fuck things up any second now (if it hasn't already happened this morning), why do we think we can play judge, jury, and executioner? I believe the dream of this God is for everyone to experience true freedom, the kind that's on the inside, and one way that can happen is by getting rid of these ideas that somehow we're helping this God by telling other people how they're doing it all wrong.
Each one of us has to work out our own terms with God, and that takes a lifetime, so why waste our precious time judging other people on their belief systems?
We need to allow other people to experience their own spiritual quests. So don't pry in to people's belief systems trying to convince them that you're way is the only way. Instead, encourage them to grow deeper in their own faith journey, and if they want to change they'll ask for your help. I'm fully convinced that nothing is secular because Jesus showed us that this God can take the most disturbing, ridiculous, tragic, and crazy situations and turn them into something breathtakingly beautiful. But here's the kicker, if someone else has the mindset that some things are secular and others are sacred, I have to try my best to allow them to have their own journey. I know it's difficult sometimes, but that's how to get out of God's way when it comes to building harmonious relationships with my brothers and sisters.
We've gotta quit shaming people for their belief systems. Like I said earlier, some of us are young at this, and are easily swayed. As soon as we judge someone else, love has left the building. We're going against this God's will to love all people. Instead, be respectful of other people's belief systems. If someone invites you over for dinner and only puts vegetables and tofu on the table, don't start judging. Be open-minded and you just might learn something new. You may even be able to have a civilized conversation about why they believe in not eating meat, and why you believe in eating meat. In the end, the God-centered life isn't about dogmatic morality, but about going to any length to experience the joy and peace that come from staying in rhythm with the still, small voice inside.
So, our number one job is to build each other up and be agents of peace. We've gotta stop the wholesale condemnation of certain people groups, because what we're doing is trying to unravel this God's handiwork. To me, all things are sacred but to others some things are profane. Regardless, we have to learn to accept each other as we are and allow others to be entitled to their own belief systems. When our belief systems collide, it's not the time to judge, but the time to give up our right to be right. We're all on our own journeys with this God, and none of us are doing it exactly right.
When we stop judging other people based off how how different their belief systems are, we'll find more happiness.
One last word: If you're constantly doubting your belief systems then tweak them for heaven's sake! It means your belief system isn't based on faith, which means it's not helping you grow spiritually. Find something else that works. Find a way to be okay with it. Just don't sit in it and expect it to change without doing something about it. Whenever we live in constant doubt about our belief systems, we're not being fueled by faith but fear. And fear will never get us where we want to go.
Grace and peace.
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