Hope.Coffee.Melody.

Religion. What does this word even mean? In many Christian circles the word takes on a sort of Pharisaical tone. We tend to use it to imply that someone has replaced their faith with ritual and tradition. I recently saw the christian t-shirt with the cliche phrase “It’s not about religion, It’s about a relationship”. It is true,relationship is a huge part of our faith, but when did “religion” turn into a bad thing?

The word is derived from two parts “ligare” which means “to bind or connect” as well as the prefix “re” which means “again”. So originally Religion meant to reconnect. To be reconnected with God.

So we could try to stop everyone from using the word religion or we could truly live out true religion. People who are reconnected to God. That is what the cross did for us.It made it possible for us to be reconnected with our Creator, our Father our God. God’s heart is restoration. He longs for us to be connected to him.

I was recently reading an article from a worship leader who just put out an album. She was talking about how her job as a worship leader was simply to connect people to God. She made the point that it’s not about her but about the connection between the listener/worshiper and the living God. I may not be a worship leader but I want to connect people to God in that same way. I want to see people encounter God. I want to see peoples lives changed by his presence, by his love.

As Christians it is our job to be connectors. To connect others to God. Everyone is looking to be connected. Many don’t know where to look or even how they would connect.

My goal is to be a connector everyday. I want to constantly be directing people to God. If I am not connecting them to God then what am I doing? Let’s make religion what it was meant to be, lets reconnect with God and show others that God wants that relationship with them.