Freedom of Faith vs. the Shell of Religion

Hello All.
Well it's been such a long time since I've been able to post here! Where did I leave off?
Ok so in Lyon it was extremely frustrating because we weren't meeting anyone, it was way too hot, and our room was slightly run down. We moved hostels for the last two nights of our stay there, L'Auberge Jeunesse, where we were pleased with the relaxed, communal atmosphere and comfortable beds. I guess you could say the major lesson of Lyon was, if you pray for something within God's will, he just pours it on. At this hostel we met tons of people: Fabienne, a girl from Quebec who had torn her ACL and was in a brace, Joe, an ex special ops guy who was going to school in Lyon for the summer, Sam and Nick, two young intellects from Boston, and many other people just hanging around. At about every meal we had some person eating with us, just sharing and talking. Surprisingly, for how many people we met, we didn't end up having any deep conversations until the last night. Jenn and I were practically attacked with a theological debate, which ended up being an incredible blessing.

Sam and Nick were both in the boys' room, and earlier in the day they had found out that we were all traveling together and we were all Christians. They had a mocking approach to religion, and were snotty and rude toward the guys. So I think later that night when they started talking to me and Jenn, it was almost as if they were testing us or just coming at us with this debate to see how we would hold up. Either that or they thought it would be more exciting to beat a couple of girls at a debate like this. Little did they know that God was on our side. It actually started randomly, first with general questions about travel and stuff, with them complaining about how they had been mugged earlier in the day and had 150€ stolen from them. I felt a little sorry for them until I found out that they had been trying to buy drugs off this guy who led them down an alley, punched Sam, and then took off with the money. I had already decided that they were annoying when Nick turns to Jenn and asks, "So, what's your mission here?" Ok, what an opener, huh? She basically tells them the gist of it, and Sam and Nick take it into stride, opening up a debate about standards of morality and if there are universal human desires or needs. They started the whole thing pretty aggressively, making me concerned that this would be a huge debate over theological and philosophical ideas that would go around in circles. I began to pray that God would open their hearts and minds, I honestly didn't think it was possible and I didn't expect it at all, but I kept praying anyways, knowing that God was big enough to do whatever he wanted. After a good 30 minutes of talking about this lofty intellectual morality/universalism/relativism conversation, Nick suddenly brought up the point about how people use religion to make themselves feel better, almost like having to do penance all the time. I spoke up, saying "But you have to make a distinction between religion and faith" thinking that it would just be another random comment thrown in to keep our conversation going round in cirlces. There was a pause though. Pause, and then Sam said, "Explain what you mean by that." Ok I was shocked. I gave a surprised laugh, taken aback that they actually listened and wanted to know more. It was almost as if God was plopping the opportunity to share the Gospel right in my lap, no loopholes or thinks to watch out for. Jenn and I began to explain the difference between religion, which is full of ritual, rules and going through the motions, and then a living faith, which is a relationship with Christ, personal knowing and growing. At that point they started listening. It was still an intense conversation, but Sam and Nick were actually asking questions that meant something, like they were searching. Jenn was great at answering the deep philosophical and theological questions, because I honestly felt as if I paled in comparison to their intellect and memory. But we talking about Christianity, how many "Christians" don't live a Christian lifestyle, how God wants a personal relationship, the fact that Christians are absolutely not perfect, how we don't have all the answers, and yes, life really hurts sometimes but because of that we are able to see true joy and beauty when it comes. By the end of our discussion they really had a respect for what we said and believe. They kept thanking us and saying that it really was a good learning experience. Honestly, all I can say is that God had his hand on the entire discussion. The Holy Spirit was definitely present, because only by Him their hearts and minds were opened. After our conversation, Jeff and Justin noted that Sam and Nick were so much more respectful towards them. They no longer mocked their beliefs or what they were doing, because Jenn and I were able to give them a fresh, realistic view of our faith, not religion.

I find that a lot of people have a view of "Religion". It's a going through the motions, follow the rules, no questions asked kind of religion. But that's not what God is all about. I am reminded over and over again that it's about a personal relationship, and this incredible love that never fails and never ever will be taken away. For so long I couldn't grasp the idea of God's love, and now that I'm explaining it to other people I find that it is so much greater than I could have imagined. Seriously. I consider myself so blessed to have the vision to see that. Even to see past the shell of Religion and reach the place of a living faith. It's not about "reading the Bible" it's about spending time with God! How amazing is it that the God who created the universe, who holds the mountains in his hands and makes his path through the seas (Psalm 90something) actually wants to get to know us and love us and show himself to us? I am so thankful that I have been delivered out of the Religion shell. Even the ability to see where I have come out of is incredible.

If I was asked what I learned on this trip, I think I would have to make a list, because there are so many things. But I am most thankful for the fact that I am learning. To stop learning is to stop living, I think.

So off of my soapbox. :) I love you all and miss you.
Please pray for Sam and Nick. And thank you for all your prayers, they mean so much. I think a lot of times people say thank you for prayers and only half mean it, like it's just covering all their bases to be polite. But seriously, God is moving here on behalf of your prayers.