Recently, I watched the movie EAT, PRAY, LOVE, and felt in love with it. Not only is the story amazing, but the main character is on the search for something. She does not feel happy and kept feeling something is missing in her life. She is searching for God!
We all come to that point in life that we are searching for the same thing even when we don't realize it. We feel empty, and nothing we do make us feel whole. Even for me, that grew up in church and knew God; I came to experience that emptiness too. If you know my story, you probably know that I grew up with the image of a God that was always ready to punish me. I always felt under his radar for my wrongdoings. Instead of being drawn to God, I withdraw from Him. I rebelled against everything church-related and decided to wander on my own on a search of that spiritual level of peace and acceptance.
For you that don't know me well, I spent a few years reading all kinds of material about the afterlife, reincarnation, Nirvana, and Moksha. I was fascinated by Buddhism. To the point that I had images and figures of Buddha all over my house. Why? Buddhism is a “no god” religion in a way. It is all about a way of living and how your actions determine your destiny. Buddhism believes that you go through a cycle of rebirths, coming back to fix your wrongdoings. You rebirth in as many lives as necessary until you reach Moksha; that is when the cycle of rebirth ends. When you reach Nirvana, which is a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, or sense of self, then you are released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth.
Even after following that lifestyle for some time, I felt empty again. The bible says that we were created at the image of God. For that reason, we will always feel that longing for God. We can run, we can hide, but we can not get rid of that part that connects us directly to God.
Ironically, in my search for spirituality, my circle ended in the beginning once again. I couldn’t outrun God’s plan and purpose. I don’t consider myself a religious person anymore but more a relational one. In my journey, I found a way to have a relationship with God outside of religion. And I learned to use Jesus as a role model. Jesus was not religious. Jesus defies religion during his short stay on Earth. Religious mentality nailed him to the cross. Jesus was a revolutionary. He came with a purpose; He brought Heaven near. He was humble, full of wisdom, loving. He performed miracles in days that he shouldn’t. He spent his time with people rejected by society. He was a healer in every spectrum of the word. Jesus did not come to be with a specific group of people. Instead, he came to be with those in need. Jesus came to bring people closer to God.
Our lives and experiences sometimes derail us from God. Sometimes the pain is too much to bear, and we think: There is no God. Sometimes we question How He allows certain things to happen. Our rationalizing makes us find ways outside of Him. If that is your situation, let me tell you this: I know how you feel. I know you think that what you need is not in God. Maybe you embark on a spiritual journey, just like I did, to end up again at the cross's feet.
John 14:6 says: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Out there, you will find thousands of religions, ways of thinking, and ways of living. But the only one that leads to the Father is Jesus. Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the way. THE ONLY WAY. Do you want to find God? Follow Jesus. Learn about Jesus, get familiar with who He is and what HE did for you! The man laid his life down for you. He was humiliated for you. He was spat on for you. He was nailed for you. Until this day, I have not found a greater love than His.
If you are searching for God, let's start with Jesus. If you are already into your spiritual journey, ask yourself: Does this is making me feel whole? Is the emptiness gone? Is that longing gone? If you answer is NO, retrace your steps and go back to the eternal source: Jesus!
I know we live in a highly contaminated world that feeds us all kinds of stuff 24/7. I know sometimes we lose our north and can't find balance in life. I'm familiar with the feeling of emptiness; we feel that a link is missing. I have learned what that feeling means. I need less of the world and more of Jesus. I learned that the hard way, but you don't have to. When you feel lost and in need of direction, plug to the source. Go to Jesus.
I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...
Be blessed!
