Thought for the Week
I just found out my country’s National Day of Prayer happened over a month ago. The occasion, once widely covered by the media, is now just a side story at best. But no matter, I’m not religious anyway.
It’s just that, well…
I often say, “I’m a writer” because it’s something I do with great passion. I’m less inclined to say, “I’m a weed plucker” or “I’m a shower taker” because, even though those are things I do, they’re not what I’m about.
But even more than writing, even more than being a husband or a father, I’m about following Jesus. Yeah, yeah, I know, I said I’m not religious. But that’s because God is not one of the things in my life, he’s the thing, he’s the focus of my life. Everything I do—writing, filmmaking, husbanding, fathering—is about knowing my Creator.
Hey, he started it.
Forty-seven years ago, sensing that God might just exist and might just be pursuing me (he was), I began reading Scripture. My first big Aha was the verse, “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Forget being religious, Jesus was saying–as he summed up why he came–that life is about knowing God. (“Eternal life,” in the original Greek, means much more than mere “unending life,” it means something more like “true life,” life as it was created to be.)
And so I said my first halting prayer, something like, “OK, if you’re really there, I want to know you. In fact, I don’t want to go another day without knowing you. So here I am. I’m yours.”
God took me up on it. He honored that prayer, and he’s honored every prayer since. Not necessarily by doing what I say (he’s pretty insistent about being the one in charge), but by listening, and if I listen, by showing me what he wants me to do. Oh, yeah, and he loves the hell out of me. Literally.
I’m still not religious. Never was, never will be. But despite that, for me, every day is…
A day of prayer.
Beautifully said! I’m right there with you.
Thank you, Kara.
29 years ago when my husband was dying I stood looking down at him in the hospital bed and said, “God, if you’re real you’ll have to prove it to me.” Boy howdy did He ever! I got saved 13 days after my husband went to be with the Lord and have served Him ever since.
I’m right there too.
Praise the Lord! He is faithful!
So true.
Yes and amen!
Someone asked me when I pray…I had no definite time for an answer as I am always talking to God, even as I write these words. I “hear” and “see” God everywhere I go, in all that I do. And I give thanks all the time for that.
“…loves the hell out of me. Literally.” TRUE. And very clever use of our complex language.
Thanks, Bob.
Good points, Mitch. I read some of the lists of things to pray about on the National Day of Prayer, and I realized they were things I pray about every day anyway. One of the few times I went to a National Day of Prayer event, it was more like a political rally, complete with campaign flyers and bumper stickers. Needless to say, I was totally turned off. (I pictured Jesus coming and flipping their tables over. 😒)
Wow, I can see why, Annie.
As a homeless woman, I live virtually without privacy, and as both poet and shaman I spend much time and a great deal of energy into very productive meditational pursuits, including hours of both still and moving prayer every day ~ and I do it in enough pain that often I really should be lying down.
Doesn’t stop ten out of ten passersby from smugly and self righteously evaluating me as “just sitting there uselessly”…
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that, Ana. People can be so judgmental, despite the fact that they hate be judged themselves.
I’ll tell you, if I had a home they’d never see me. Probably why I’ve been stuck out here, so they will.
Amen.
I found this post so interesting, particularly the distinction between having a strong connection to G-d and dedication to your faith and simultaneously not describing yourself as “religious”. I’m genuinely curious as to why you reject the label of religious.
(To clarify, this isn’t a gotcha question nor meant to be intrusive. I have mixed feelings about the label of “religious” for myself and my own beliefs and practices.)
JYP, I can only speak for myself, but the term “religion” has always struck me as something more formal and human-made than a relationship with my Creator. Beyond denotation (actual meaning), the term carries a lot of connotations (associations) and assumptions about whatever religion one identifies with. Similarly, I normally refer to myself as a Jesus follower, rather than a Christian (which carries so much baggage with it these days).
I have a followup question on the same question that JYP submitted, if you would indulge me, Mitch. Aside from the denotation aspect, where you could be considered as “religious”, would I be correct in assuming that you have your own associations and assumptions with regard to what Christianity might connotate within the minds of others, and you wish to disassociate or separate yourself from that baggage by not calling yourself a Christian? Considering that the Apostle Paul and Barnabus were instrumental in creating a church in Antioch, wherein those followers of Jesus were first called “Christians”, would not your chosen disassociation put you at odds with what others called them back then? And like JYP stated, this isn’t a gotcha question, I’m just trying to understand the motive aspect. And thank you in advance for your patience with me.
Bruce, if someone asks me whether or not I am a Christian, I will answer yes, because I am. And back in the time of Paul and Barnabus, I would gladly have used the term Christian (“Christlike” or “little Christ”). But in our contemporary culture, the term Christian is widely believed to mean something quite un-Christlike. And so I prefer to refer to myself as a Jesus follower. https://mitchteemley.com/2021/09/12/jesus-wasnt-a-christian/
Thanks for responding, Mitch. Sincerely appreciated!
Very well said Mitch! I don’t like the term religious either. Its not about rules, or labels, or when I pray, and how I pray, etc. Its all about the relationship with my Saviour, who yes, loves the “hell out of me!” and who I want to please with my life, because I am so thankful for his love. <3
Amen, Carolyn.
🙂
Every day a day of prayer. God bless the non-religious faithful among us!
;>)
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing this.
My privilege, Christian.
Very cool, Mitch.
I’m with you Mitch. I’m not religious either. Instead I’m more about doing God’s will while I’m walking on this earth.We may have trials while we are here but our God has the final say over our life!
Amen, Cora.
Thanks!
are you working on the handwriting again?
Rudy, you need to leave Cora alone. OK?
she didn’t do well on the handwriting like i asked
Well said, Mitch! One definition of religion includes: “a particular system of faith and worship.” That just scratches the surface of what true Christianity is about. We have faith in a Person, not a system. Our faith in Jesus is not wishful hope; it’s backed up with irrefutable proof for those willing to consider it, in the fields of archaeology, manuscript study, medicine, science, history, and more. (One outstanding resource: The Case for Christ by former investigative reporter, Lee Strobel. I’ll bet you’ve read it, Mitch!) The second part of that definition, “a particular system of worship” doesn’t really apply to Christianity either. God isn’t so interested in systems as he is in relationships with individuals. And there’s nothing in this world that compares to the peace of mind and joy of heart he provides. So I’m with you, Mitch–not religious, but a Jesus follower who loves him because he first loved me and made a way for me to be part of God’s forever-family.
Go, Nancy! And I know you well enough to know you walk the talk.
SO thankful to have Jesus in my life!
Good post, Mitch. A life of prayer rather than a “day” of prayer seems more genuine and authentic. Mothering for a day–is absurd. I agree, “Everything I do—is about knowing my Creator.”
Thanks, Manette.
A refreshing post! Thank you for expressing ‘pray with ceasing’ in such a real way.
I love this Mitch. God chose us which makes it all about Him and His purposes, not about me. No religion, all relationship.
Thank you for lifting my eyes up.
So glad it spoke to you, Debi.
Love it! Religion never got anyone anywhere. It’s relationship that counts. Relationship is everything with the Lord. Religion is dead rules. Relationship is life itself. I chose life over 53 years ago, and have never regretted it.
I’m so glad to hear that, Diane.
“Every day is a day of prayer.” Boy, do we need to hear that and live by it. Priority is not a linear list with God at the top but a circular pattern with God touching all of our lives with Him as the center. All of my wheel turns on His axle!
Great analogy, Harry!
Every day is “Day of Prayer” . Beautifully written Mitch! Even though we can’t go to our prayer temple daily. God listens to our prayers.👍🏻✨
True indeed, Ramani.
This is lovely Mitch. Well said.
Thank you, Barb.
I love this, Mitch. As a born-again Christian believer, I agree — every day is a day of prayer. Here is part of a song I wrote years ago:
He is the rock of my foundation
He is the joy of my salvation
Makes me want to shout hallelujah to the Lord
I was lost, but now I’m found
I’m a new creation, and I’m heaven bound
Makes me want to shout hallelujah to the Lord!
Keep on singing, Linda!
Yep…same here fifty-six years ago.
I became a Christian in 1979. It took years for me to learn that I don’t have a religion, just a relationship. And a relationship that’s with me in my challenges, failures, and successes. And the greatest successes are the answers to prayers for people’s relationships with others and God.
“And the greatest successes are the answers to prayers for people’s relationships with others and God.” I couldn’t agree more, JW!
I think you are religious.
It certainly does depend on one’s definition of religion.
Wow beautiful
Thank you, Elvie.
A day without prayer can be a day without air. I need to breath goodness. Blessings to you wherever you are with God, peace and religion.
Thank you, and likewise.
Wishing you an awesome week! I like your photo too. ☕️☕️
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Below today’s post, this post was recommended. I had read it before, but decided to reread it. It looks like I was the last person to like it the last time, and it won’t let me like it again. So, “Good post.”
Aw, thanks, Don.