Religion

In college I was taught a definition for religion. Religion is a set of values that one adheres to in order to get the most out of life.

I could stop writing now, and you could look around and see for yourself the religions that are practiced in our county alone. Think about it. The value system we adhere to defines what we practice as far as a religion.

For starters, hunting or fishing could be a religion. Some people live for hunting. Some people live for fishing. Life has no meaning or value for them if they aren’t out in the woods or in a field hunting or on a lake, river, pond, or ocean fishing. I enjoy venison. I enjoy fish. However, I’m not sure this is a religion for me.

For some people, working is a religion. They live for working. They work day and night. They work on weekends. Work even takes precedent over a spouse and children.

Plus, if you don’t work like they do, they think of you as a slacker. Work is what they value more than anyone or anything else. I’m not sure this is a religion for me either.

For other people, partying is a religion. They value the party-life. They live for the evening. They live for the weekends. They live for vacations because they have one constant thought on their brain—partying.

A lot of times this valuing of partying involves two things I really don’t do—drinking and telling tall tales. Since I don’t like the smell of alcohol and I don’t like listening to people stretch the truth or tell tall tales, I’ll pass on this religion, too. I don’t think it will help me get the most out of life.

For some, sports is a religion. They can’t keep their eyes off of the sport of their choice whether it is on TV or in person. They value nothing greater than their sports figures and “heroes.” Every waking hour that is not consumed with work is consumed by sports.

They can’t stay off the greens, the diamonds, the courts, the water, and the fields. I’ve been to two pro football games and one college football game. I’ve been to several major and minor league baseball games. I’ve even played tennis occasionally. However, I don’t think sports is how I get the most out of life. It’s not a religion for me.

For other people, going to church is a religion. Every time the church doors are open they are there. They place great value in enjoying the times of food and the times of fellowship. They think being at church and being busy at church, regardless if it has anything to do with the Lord, makes them religious and it does, but not in the way I care to be religious. It’s not the way I get the most out of life.

So what is religion for me? What is it or who is it that gives to me in order that I can get the most out of life? Who or what do I value in order to get the most out of life?

The Trinity—God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Without these three, life is pretty much meaningless to me. God created me.

As a fallen creature, I would die and go to hell if it were not for God’s son, Jesus, who died on the cross for me and my sins, and you and your sins. God’s Holy Spirit leads, guides, and directs me in my daily life.

Because of God in three persons, I will get the most out of life because life does not end at death. Life is eternal. My goal is to get the most out of eternity. I get that from God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That’s a religion for me.