Religion is a pattern of how to live life. Most patterns are based on an ethic, on morals defined by its leader. Adherence to those morals requires obedience from those who follow. If you are not living according to the pattern then you are not a follower. Many believe punishment awaits those who fail to measure up, or reward/enlightenment for those who do.

Communities of followers gather together to make living according to the pattern possible. Leaders are trained to teach the pattern and remind followers how to live accordingly in an ever-changing world that holds to a sometimes drastically different pattern based on wants and desires.

Outside forces try to make followers abandon the course and inside forces inspire rebellion. How closely you guard yourself against these forces equals the quality of your faith.

Then there’s Jesus. The One who completely fulfilled the pattern. Without Him the best we have is a reincarnation/another chance to try to be better, to live better, to match up to the pattern. With Him, we are brought further than we could ever accomplish on our own. His love and sacrifice beats all.

I have a friend who thought he could do better than Jesus and made his own religion free of hypocrites. But that’s the best we can do. Jesus gives grace to all, even to those who fail. My friend’s religion offered no hope, no salvation to any but himself, that is until he will fail his own pattern. Grace is a hard concept for the self-righteous.

A few days ago, my wife got into a car accident with a young Muslim man. Immediately he checked to see if she was ok. She was, and then he proceeded to speak to her about his faith. He believed God had a reason for their accident. Later, he told us both of the good deeds he has done: taking care of the poor and other deeds of justice, etc. of which I’m sure his treatment of my wife was included. He was very kind and considerate, much more so than many of our own faith.

I could see his passion for Islam and hear of his obedience to the pattern it taught. As he spoke I thought, “Wait a minute, isn’t he supposed to want to chop off the heads of infidels and enslave women?” Here was a young man doing his best to make the grade. I pray for the chance to help him know Jesus as Lord and Savior and be filled with the Holy Spirit, for without the salvation freely given by Jesus, he will continue to run a doomed race he can’t ever finish.

Religion is a pattern of how to live life. All without Jesus are left living the best they can with hopes that in the end, it will be enough. They will keep jumping that pile of sticks till they can’t do it anymore. Then they will be left with nothing, cast out and away from their god.

Teacher: “Are you ready to go?”

Student: “Yes master.”

Teacher: “Then let’s go. Follow me.”

Go outside and claim a stretch of forest. Develop in yourself a love for your forest. Take care of it. When you see a tree leaning or fallen upon another safely lift it off. Clean it of litter. If you find any bones, bury them. In this way, you will learn holiness.

Be silent and observe how your forest is alive. Listen to the tree branches sway in the breeze. Watch the critters move across the ground or through the trees. Sit in the branches and see the roads birds fly upon. Observe their paths and run with the deer. In this way, you will learn awe and respect.

If you remain silent and motionless long enough you will be awarded views many, save the patient hunter, never see. Deer, turkeys, woodchucks, raccoons, possums, and many such creatures will appear and walk among you. In this way, you will learn the value of patience and stillness.

Let the Lord speak to you in your solitude. Create a space that is your sanctuary. Praise Him there in your thoughts and glorify Him for what He has revealed to you that day. In this way, you will learn worship.

May the Lord bless you with an increased depth of perception. May you become enraptured by the wonders He has made. As you witness life, may it purify your own. In this way, you will learn serenity.

On the path of receiving from the Lord, you may be tempted to prove yourself worthy. In my forest, I was. On its entrance, there was a high gateway of fallen branches. I made jumping it a test of my worthiness. Over time the branches fell lower and lower till I was able to simply walk through to enter. Others would not have been able to enter and follow before, but after the gate was opened, the veil was torn, and the way was made clear. In this way, I learned mercy, but not yet the vast richness of the grace of Christ. It was for me a foretaste.

Also on this path of receiving from the Lord, I made a vow. I swore my allegiance before the earth, sky, and sun, my only witnesses, that I would hold true to the Beauty He showed me there in my forest. Though I know Jesus says to not make them, Matthew 5:34, I found that when made as a response to God, they are a lifelong joy. Much like a marriage, I vowed my adherence and faithfulness to Him. I leave this up to whatever seems right to you and your relationship with God. I am only telling you to make you aware, not as a directive. Such vows make a man, but as in Ecclesiastes 5:5, “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.”

May the Maker of heaven and earth be ever with you. May you find solace beneath His wings. For surely such joy and peace you find there will be found nowhere else.