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A lot about me has changed. I enjoy a different type of music. I attend different events. I walk, talk and act a lil different. A lot of people might say, "Oh that boy done got some religion". I beg to differ.....I've found a relationship.
Dictionary.com defines religion as:
"a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons. "
If that's the case then almost anything can be called a religion. I believe that Hip-Hop music should be played ear-bustlingly, heart-stopping loud. I practice that as often as possible. There are a number of other individuals who agree with me and practice as well. Well that makes me a devout Hip-Hopian according to this definition. So long story short, the word religion can be bent so far that it really doesn't mean anything does it? So if it's not the rules and regulations place on me by religion, what has changed me? A relationship.
Dictionary.com defines relationship in three ways that I see relevant....
1. A connection, association, or involvement.
2. An emotional or other connection between people
3. Connection between persons by blood or marriage.
Wow. Let's break that done, cool?
I. A connection, association, or involvement.
That's what I long for you who don't know Him to know. Knowing and loving God is not as hard as it seems. You can be truly connected to Him. What many of us probably know at this point is the ASSOCIATION. " I go to Mount St Peter the Rock Zion New International First Episcopal Wayside Riverfront Missionary Association of Believers in the True Vine Church of God that was In God that One time in the Cave United Methodist Church."" or " Yeah my mom kept me in the church when I was young, so I go every once and a while." I 'm not way off am I? This is America. Almost everybody goes to church. But a lot of time that's where it stops. You go TO church. You know ABOUT Christ. You know OF a different life. I didn't say better because the Christian life isn't better or worse, just different. The life after life I guarantee you is better though. Anywayz, It's that association and our like and dislikes of it that keep us from the connection. I urge all of us to KNOW GOD FOR YOURSELF. Explore him. Found out what he likes, what He doesn't, what makes Him happy, what doesn't, what can you do for Him, what can He do for you, how he can help you, how you can help Him. Our God is an EMOTIONAL god. I reiterate the fact that Life is really about A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, not a RELIGION IN HIS NAME. understand? When you start to explore all these things it will cause you to become INVOLVED with him. You've been in relationships before (or now). How would you feel if you loved someone with all your heart and you did everything you could to please them, and they ignored you? Or they said they loved you, but they were sleeping with someone you absolutely hated. I don't need to go on, just think about it. I know this is long but bear with me. It's worth it. If you need to, come back later.
2. An emotional connection between two people
We've all felt it. A butterfly here or there. A smile we can't get rid of. A phone call we can't wait to make and never want to end. It's love. Or for some of you who haven't grown up enough to say that, "Catching feelings." Whatever you call it, you know it. It's that indescribable something that won't stop when you say their name, or see them, or see something they've done for you. Who do you think started all that. I won't insult your intelligence here. I just want you to know that feeling can make you cry. That feeling can make you laugh. That feeling can make you dance like an idiot. That feeling can make you say things you've never said. That feeling can make everything okay in a time when everything is defiantly not okay. That feeling you can experience with God. He's someone who can supply that feeling non-stop to your every waking moment and on throughout your dreams. What would you do to experience that? And why haven't you?
3. A connection between people by blood or marriage.
That is about the most powerful statement I have ever read in my life. Reading it just know makes me almost want to stop typing. You have been united to God, once and for all, through BOTH BLOOD AND MARRIAGE. Let me explain. Everyone from those of Islamic faith to hardcore atheist do not deny the blood shed of the man Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus bled. The bible reports that He did this for the redemption of man. For the reuniting of God with man. In other words, to bring us back into a relationship. Think of it as the biggest engagement ring you have ever heard of. This is what did it people. Because of that sacrifice, (and anybody who knows anything about love know that it cannot come without sacrifice), YOU HAVE BEEN UNITED WITH GOD THROUGH BLOOD. The failure of us as people is to ACCEPT IT. The Bible never talks about working towards salvation or positioning yourself for it. ("I just gotta get my life together first….etc"). It talks about accepting salvation. In better terms God was asking, "Do you love me, circle yes or no." A lot of us have written back maybe in-between and put the letter back on his desk. Am I off here? I want you to know that YOU ARE ALREADY FORGIVEN FOR EVERYTHING YOU"VE EVER DONE, WILL DO, OR ARE DOING RIGHT NOW. The question really is, do you accept that?
I said that it's about relationship not religion. That it's about knowing God for yourself. I don't listen to certain types of Music because it would make the person I'm in love with upset. I don't do certain things because it would break His heart. I do other things because I know that He smiles when I do. I talk to Him as often as I can because that's what you do in relationships. It's all about give and take. I give him imperfect, lying, cheating, stealing, cussing, drunk, high , porn watching, disobedient, addicted, unfaithful, hateful, narcissistic, uncaring, rude, hypocritical, two-faced me…….and He takes me as I am. That's one heck of a relationship.
Champ Da Beast (2005)
