I Am Happily Living My Life As An Outlaw: Can This Lead To Disaster?
Posted: Friday, May 14, 2010
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
" Have you found a church yet?"
"No," I mumbled while sipping my diet coke. (I had moved to a new town two years ago.)
"We haven't gone to church since we have moved."
"You should find a church. You should go to church, you know."
Everyone at the table was silent as I received my gentle chastisement from a well-meaning person.
It was as though God was really showing off his handiwork today, as I stared through the glass window.
He seemed to be saying, "I am here. I am now. I am everywhere."
For everyone reading this article, if you go to church every Sunday, I honor and applaud you, but I am here to say that I am free from the law. Isn't that why Christ came anyway to free us? Yet, I am always hearing, "you should."
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery . Galatians 5:1
I am a happy outlaw. I tossed man-made rules. I am on speaking terms with God, although I have not been attending church. I enjoy God's company and love.
Instead of asking me if I had found a church, I wish this person had asked, "Do you have peace?" How about, "are you trying to make a difference in the world or are you living your life with love?"
My point is that I don't think any of us are motivated by rules. This applies to every part of life.
How about diets? Now, it is being proven that overeating stems from our own emotions. (When I stopped thinking about calories and rules and just lived a balanced life, the weight disappeared). Diets don't work because it forces one to be focused on food and is only a temporary solution. Rules about dieting do not motivate us to lose weight, but rather we are always thinking about food.
It's about balance in life, not always rules and "should-haves."
When I decided not to listen to what others felt was right for me or live according to their rules, I began to discover my own truths.
Being a creative writer and a fulfilled person requires me sometimes to be an outlaw.
" Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way. " Edward de Bono quotes ((Francis Charles Publius) Maltese Psychologist and Writer , leading authority in field of creative thinking. b.1933)
" Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun. " Mary Lou Cook quotes
I have been thinking lately about going back to church but it will be because I want to and not because of someone saying I should go to church.
I hope they allow "outlaws" in church.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)A very good article Fran, with a good message. Just staring out into space (the stars at night) I find God's creation so fascinating. I don't get anything out of going to church.
I agree with you Fran. When our children were younger we always attended Mass together and it was the right thing for us to do. As my daughter advanced in swimming we were on the road most weekends so couldn't attend church regularly. We felt though, what we were doing as a family was the right thing for us to do at that time. It didn't stop us from praying. You don't have to be in a church to pray. Everyone has a right to their own beliefs and their own practices. People should stop judging other people and just do what's right for them. There are two excuses I hear for not going to church that upset me. 1. I don't go to church because it's full of hypocrites. (Not everyone who goes to church thinks because they go it makes them better than anyone, maybe they go because they know they're not perfect and need help.) 2. I don't go to church because of the scandals you hear about priests. (You don't pray to the priest, you pray to God.) Again, there is no right and wrong when it comes to church. Just appreciate all you have, and be a good person to the people in your life and to the planet, and I think you've got it covered.
You've done it again, Fran, but I had no idea you were such a rebel!I've long suspected that Sunday is the least family-friendly day of the week for us, and probably the least worthwhile spiritually. As our kids are getting older and moving out, I see fewer reasons to keep up with the Sunday morning rituals. Then again, Jean and I get a lot of fellowship throughout the week.The dieting thing is something I'm far from mastering, but I am working on living a balanced life.Keep up the great writing!
Well, Fran, you truly know the meaning of living, break free from the tedious laws and become an outlaw, happily, freely but not forgetting to pause, for a second, to ponder about the Creator, Who, in your eyes, is still the One, everywhere.Beautiful article.Hilda
"Better to live alone than with fools" - Buddha. Great article Fran. Don't give in to peer pressure or weak finalities that purport have all the answers, Keep inquiring. Keep going deeper. There is a wealth inside of you that doesn't need any books or preachers. Trust me on that. And only you can discover this. If you can just scrunch up the courage to let go, let go.Best......e
I absolutely love what you say Fran. Your words open up a broad vision of life for me in all its possibilities, and allow the concept of God to be something beautiful, nurturing and promoting. I think it takes a special kind of belief to see life the way you do, and courage to live according to your own lights.Thanks for this wonderful article.Jennifer
There is nothing like being with others who love Him and worshiping, sharing and encouraging - bearing one another's burdens and sharing joy too. Mick hasn't gone to church regularly for 5 years now since we moved up here. I was drying up and going to blow away without the Body. I think especially during these times we need that balance and input and blessing of the other believers. Mick prefers to be out by himself in God's creation and peaceful landscapes. Mick is a born again and Spirit filled believer. I miss him when I go to worship my Lord though.
Hi Fran.They'd certainly be stupid not to allow you!Love your thoughts on this issue. You've really expressed them well, also.Great job!Dianne
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