Tonight we had dinner with some new friends at their apartment in Studio City (down the street from where Jennifer Love Hewitt and Andy Garcia live, among other famous people). This is a guy I met in class this quarter and his wife and new kid. I totally connected with this guy in class because he was pretty outspoken, not afraid to ask questions, seemed really down to earth, and laughed a lot/was funny. We had a fantastic time. We brought Nathaniel & Noah with us so they could hang out and play with their little girl, and they also had a blast. We laughed, talked, ate some great food that Dave made, and even sang a little bit.
One of the most interesting parts of the night came when we were talking at dinner about coming to school and moving up from San Diego, and so on. Someone asked where we worked in San Diego, so I told them I was a music pastor at Midway Baptist Church. Then Dave asks, “So, are you guys pretty religious?” to which we quickly respond, “No…” because we’re not…
and what an interesting conversation that followed…
Quite simply put, no–I am not religious. I love God, I love people, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ and I live for him–but I would not ever say that I am religious. Being “religious” seems to carry quite a bit of negativity with it. Religious people can be judging, unforgiving, legalistic, and hypocritical. Religious people vouch for places in authority, they try to legislate morality, they tell you what to do and not to do and where you’re going if you do or don’t do those things. Religious people are often involved in politics, and have strong views on who you should or should not vote for based on one stance or another. Religious people are often viewed as fanatics and radicals, but not in a good way–and you know what? A lot of those “religious” types screw up. Just look at what has happened the past 5 or so years in the Catholic church with altar boys, or this year with the recently ousted pastor that bought drugs and was accused of hiring a male prostitue. And how about all of those guys from further back?
But all of that aside, it was amazing to try an explain that to someone. I’m NOT religious, but I do have some religion…if that makes sense…
We talked about what some of the good parts about religion were and what some of the bad parts…we talked about the merging of families with different backgrouds…
But the best part of the night came after Christy and Dave talked me into singing one of the secular songs I wrote for the class (the one my teacher said the f-bomb after). I sang the song (only mildly uncomfortable, thank goodness I can just look at my music or the wall or something). When I finished, Mary talked a little about the song, and said something to the effect of “Everything that is good and that I like about religion–I see it in you when you are singing. There is a positive outlook and hope there…”
This song had nothing to do with Jesus or love, or really anything along those lines…
Think about that statement for a second. Go back and read it again. It is quite possibly one of the most profound and deep things anyone has every said about me or to me in a LONG time. Talk about God shining through us…even in the most unlikely of situations….
It’s raining!
