Hey! :) 

Wanted to share a quick story from ministry I had with my teammate Alli last week! We have the privilege of working with about 10 eleventh graders for an hour everyday at school. We read a book with them to practice their english & then give a devotional at the end of class. Alli & i found it difficult to know what to talk about because we didn’t actually know where these teens were in their faith or belief in the Lord. So one day, Alli just asked “where do you actually stand with God?” 

The answers we received from these teenagers were not what I had expected at all. They spoke about their belief in God, but their sadness for the church and its values. One girl said “It shouldn’t be so much about religion, but instead your relationship with God.” And each person around the table nodded their heads in agreement. My heart lept when she said this. I thought wow, they get it. 

Something that took me a long time to untangle was the idea of being religious vs. having a relationship with Jesus and letting everything else be an outflow of that. I was living like such a Pharisee without even seeing it. I lived a rule book life for so long. 

Thankfully, by the grace of our God, it is SO much more than that. In fact, it isn’t about rules in the slightest. It is all about love. The gospel changed everything!! We now just get to focus on the gift of knowing our Father so personally; actions such as serving come from the root of our love for God and desire to glorify Him above all else. 

So breathe!! Stop worrying about trying to ‘follow Jesus right’. Just focus on Him. Let Holy Spirit guide you. Read the Word. We will never be perfect, we will always need His grace. However, I have tried both ways of “living for God”, and one is a whole lot more freeing than the other. 

remember, it’s not about religion!!! 

much love, 

ella 

ps. please pray for these 11th graders- they understand religion vs. relationship, but are still learning how to really get to know the Lord! pray for softened hearts and eager ears! thank you!!