Ramblings of a Former Slave to Religion Vol. 1

When I was steeped in religion, I always believed this to mean that God didn't care how ugly you were, it's what's on the inside that counts. That's what most of us have been taught, right? Well, here I am, once again, to give you another point of view on the matter and "upset the apple cart" so to speak. I want to destroy the religious bonds that tie us down and shed some light on the truth. 

I heard this scripture on the radio the other day and deep inside I felt God say, "that's not what that means. Think about it. Think about how people look at you, without knowing your heart. They see an abrasive, sandpaper, carnal person. But each night as you lie down, you open my Word and you cry out to Me. I see your heart and I will work change in your outward appearance. But man does not see that. They judge you by who they think you are. But only those whom you've allowed to see your heart know the truth of who you really are."

This revelation came to me only days after a conversation with a dear friend. She had thanked me for teaching her to look past the rough exterior to see the heart. She then made me cry by saying that the more she got to know me (ie: the more she sees my heart) the more she loves me. So it seems the two occurences are not just coincidental, but they go hand-in-hand. I truly believe that God revealed the true meaning of this scripture to me. I see it with new eyes. I no longer see it the way religion taught me to see it. Religion made it sound like a way to pacify those "poor ugly people" and make them feel better. But I don't believe that Yahweh sees it that way. I can just see Him slapping His hand against his forehead, going, "WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND?!" He says in His word, "My people perish for a lack of knowledge..." the context of that statement is "....lack of knowledge of My Law." But it can also mean that we perish from a lack of knowledge of HIM, HIS HEART, HIS PERCEPTION! When will we stop seeing with our limited vision and using religion to mask the Heart of God? When will we allow Him to show us the truth? Not just the pieces of truth that make us feel better and uphold our beliefs... but the WHOLE truth, including the parts that make us uncomfortable?

Sincerely,

A Former Slave of Religion