True Religion is This

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to share with my friends in Brownsville on the topic of True Religion. I didn’t use the phrase “damned religion” in church but the thought went through my head. So did the following image…

At one table: the folks who practice Damned Religion sit. Their traditions are lifeless, meaningless… they stand up, sit down, kneel at the right times… but there is no relationship, no compassion, no love in their motions. Talking about the folks “in church”? Sure. But also those that practice their brand of religion in front of the TV or computer, at the bar or arena or even the office… Some of the most religious folks I know never step foot in a church.

At a second table, the folks who practice True Religion sit. They have traditions… but it’s only part of the bigger picture. These folks… you will see them everywhere and you will know them… because of their love.

Folks who practice Damned Religion are an rowdy bunch… they love a good fight, especially if they can instigate it, but they have no greater purpose. It sure looks like a fun bunch until you realize they just do the same thing… over and over and over, again.

If those guys are rowdy, folks who practice True Religion are downright unruly. They run toward the fight, they are the first to help someone in need, they give out of their own need, they risk more, live with less, are willing to suffer and die for a cause and, more importantly, willing to live with purpose… and, in doing all of this: they rejoice with an unruly love.

As I meditated on such thoughts, imagine my surprise to receive a letter from my friend Robert. Robert runs an orphanage in Tanzania. This is part of that note:

“We cannot carry out the program due to lack of funding. And to make matters more worse, Tanzania was hit bad by drought and many will be starving to death. The scarcity of food has forced prices up. This is Scary! I have been experiencing sleepless nights thinking and looking for some ways on how manage with such the situation.”

You see, Tanzania has been hit by three catastrophes… AIDs/HIV has killed over 1.4 million Tanzanians and has created over 1 million orphans. Robert and his wife Mariam have dedicated their lives to serving the most vulnerable in their country. They provide food, clothing, shelter, education and their love and lives to 200 orphans. Now, a drought has come upon them and that drought has led to food shortages and leading toward famine.

Practicing True Religion is simple… be separated from worldly cares and concerns and care for those that are the most vulnerable among us. The vulnerable are widows and orphans. So, I was moved by conviction, as much as compassion, to send financial help and to share this story with you.

When you practice religion today, which table will you be with?

If you are looking for an opportunity to test your convictions, to sit at the table of True Religion and experience its blessing… please consider the Good Samaritan Orphanage in Tanzania. Their website is www.gsotanzania.com; there you will find more information and directions on how to contribute. Of course, I would be pleased to answer your questions and provide more information.