When I was seven I accepted Christ into my heart and life. From
that day forward, I was lit for the Lord. I’d grown up in my childhood church
and remained there until my mid-teens until a massive conflict occurred, leading
my family and a number of others to part ways. After that, my family and I
visited other church homes until we landed on a place of our own, and the rest
was history – or so I thought.
When it was time for college, I looked into attending Christian
schools. I was eager, yet, so blind and naïve to what lied ahead. I saw things
happen and had experiences that made me question if I was still saved. I’ve
seen it all. I’ve seen everything from spiritual manipulation, legalistic force
and practices, questionable leadership, abusive power, and shady behavior in
the church, and was surprised to see more and more of these kinds of behaviors
as an adult.
“Surely, you should have known these things would happen”, a
confidant shared with me.
“I didn’t know it’d be like this”, I responded. “I really didn’t.”
This year I was particularly heartbroken as I went head to head
with some believers who were doing things I was no longer going to accept or
remain silent about. I started calling people out and it wasn’t pretty. I lost
some friends, opportunities, and walked away from some places I never thought
I’d part ways with for good. Once I acknowledged what I’d seen, the people I’d
met, and some of the places I’d frequented, I choose to heal. I also chose to
forgive and move on with my life. But I also grew a little wiser and a bit
savage in the process – in the best kinds of ways, though.
My thoughts on everything I’ve experienced between the time of
being a little girl falling in love with Christ, to a grown woman still growing
more each day?
Anytime any ministry or religious organization has a legalistic
approach to handling people or conflict, in addition to spiritual manipulation
and questionable practices, those behaviors are borderline cult practices.
Especially, if the people following are being influenced in ways that are not
helping to love and embrace others from all walks of life, but instead, are
criticizing, hurting, and marginalizing others. My desire is to be the kind of
Christian that represents the kingdom well. I will be spiritually woke, follow
the Lord’s teachings, and love.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John
15:12