God is a swear word and why i got confirmed.

I have a confession to make: I had absolutely no intention of joining the Church and becoming a Christian. But last Sunday that is exactly what I did when I got confirmed at St Johns Church, my local Church.

The Confirmation itself was wonderful. Perhaps one of the best evenings I’ve ever experienced.

The love in that space was almost tangible that night. Friends and family and various people for the regular church congregation had all turned out to witness 12 young (and not so young) people receiving the Eucharist for the first time, it was an evening I shan’t forget in a hurry.

Before we were to take our Communion though, the Bishop of Basingstoke asked me why I wanted to be confirmed. In reply, I found it easier to explain why at first I didn’t want to be confirmed;

 I believe the institution is corrupt and Religion causes war. I also do not accept being told what to do, what to think, or what to believe. However, I had always had a faith and I have come to realise that corruption is everywhere, but in all that darkness there is extreme beauty, it is where you find the brightest stars and their light shall and does shine on. And religion doesn’t cause wars. People do. Whatever religion one chooses to follow it is ultimately love they worship, because God, Allah, Buddha etc. is all of that. Anyone using Religion as an excuse to fight or to kill have not understood this message.

 My faith has always been unfathomable. When I almost died as a baby, I remember being nothing but the energy flow that is love. I was part of God. So when I did my confirmation course, it all made sense to me and yet I was still rejecting it.

The Bible I struggled with, the word God even more so, (why given a male persona I don’t understand?) And the rituals and services - so old school?!

But I still had a calling, I had an unshakeable desire to learn more.

I have learnt that Christianity is indeed a journey of discovery. And just like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John who wrote the New Testament, they too were on a journey, telling their own stories from their own experiences. And from every story, Wisdom can be sought and so I shall continue writing my own story, from my own perspective, in the hope that maybe I too can inspire others.

 

I don’t expect people to follow me; indeed I don’t even expect that Christianity is right for everyone.

What we must do in life is follow our hearts, have a faith that is true to ourselves, because in doing so you will find that you are never alone. And keep telling your stories and tell them with Love. Because if we want to see a world free from corruption, fear and hate, Love will show us the way. And if I speak as a true Christian. That’ll be God!