Wow! I was talking to my sister about her idea to write a guest post and realized it had been a couple months since I've written. School started, and we've been bombarded by problems that I won't bore you with, but despite all that I think it time I record the next chapter of my spiritual journey.
I joined a group on Facebook about divine dreams, and at first thought it would be just for fun, but the longer I was there the more I learned about my own gift for dreaming. I learned the meaning of a significant dream from my childhood and threw myself into seeking learning from God about the direction he wants for my life. Having found joy in service at a nondenominational church after a while it seemed I'd learned about what they had to offer. Then I started having dreams that gave me the impression it was time for me to move on somewhere that would offer more and deeper knowledge. I remembered a woman telling me about a Messianic Jewish Synagogue. I started feeling the desire to learn more about the Jewish roots of Christianity, after all Christ was himself a Jew and taught Judaism, and while the sacrifice of Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses so there was no more need to sacrifice animals, Jesus being the last "sacrificial lamb", there are other aspects of the law that can and likely should be kept. In my heart, I feel that learning more about these laws will inform me of more of the nature of God and His character. I decided to seek out and attend one of these Messianic Jewish Synagogues.
After attending a Friday night service I notified the people I served with at the Christian church I had found. The contrast between their reaction and the reaction I got from Mormons when I differed with them on some matters of doctrine was so stark it was truly astonishing to me. The reaction of Mormons had been to gossip, shun, or argue or some combination thereof. Here, they prayed for me and my family and our journey, told me they would miss me, hugged me, and reminded me I was always welcome. They accepted and validated my spiritual journey agreeing I had to follow what God had placed in my heart and I felt nothing but love from them. There was no judgment whatsoever. I almost couldn't believe it! Was this what it was like for normal Christians? They just do what feels right in their own spiritual journey, and allow others to do the same, and just love each other with the love Christ preached? What an idea! It was such a refreshing experience I almost rethought my decision. My kids had fun there, and I could do something more productive if the sermon wasn't a topic that would enrich me. Last week I couldn't get myself to go because I knew the topic was relating to how to decide who to vote for, and I've already decided and this not being a political blog I'll say no more about that, just that it wasn't how I wanted to spend a Sunday. Perhaps this next week, or perhaps not, either way I know I am welcome and loved there despite believing things that are not common held beliefs in the congregation. And with that example of Christlike love I don't think I've met a more Christian bunch of Christians anywhere else!
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