Question to religious people: why do you believe?

I grew up in an orthodox jewish family in Toronto. We strictly followed all the laws of judaism such as pray daily, keep kosher and observe sabbath. When I was growing up, we were maybe a 7 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being fanatic. The minutia of rules lived in every moment of every day. There were specific blessings to say when you ate, slept, went to the bathroom. Rules about what women may not do, say, be. Rules for men too, but much less limited.

For me, it was too much. I defected from that world 20 years ago. (It was hard.) My parents and siblings have only become more fanatical as the years go by, they’re all at a 9 by now. We do speak to each other and get along OK.

But I have trouble understanding how they or anyone can truly be happy in that life.

So I ask, why do YOU believe?

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Colonelmustardseed · 36-40

Because of how the Lord reached me personally. I wish I could explain the specifics, but I find that those who don’t believe don’t have a clue what I’m talking about. I’m just not good enough with words.
But I do know that Bible references and what others would say to try to explain Salvation to me didn’t really reach me. It made me think about the afterlife, but that didn’t mean anything to me until God made His presence in life clear.

And now, the thought of being without the Lord in my life is painful. I never knew comfort or love till I found Him. So I follow God, even when I don’t understand things right away. I follow because I love the Lord and because it’s clear He loved me first (even when I didn’t believe).

LadyGrace ·

@Colonelmustardseed You couldn't have said it BETTER. 😀❤️🙏🙏🙏🙌 So lovely a testimony, just like you.

Colonelmustardseed · 36-40

@LadyGrace Thank you. I love the way you had put it. And it’s difficult for people to understand that there’s a distinction between following Christ and following religion. It’s why they don’t get it. But if they only knew Him, it all makes sense.

LadyGrace ·

@Colonelmustardseed Absolutely, that's the huge difference right there and what I try to relay in my posts. ❤️

LadyGrace ·

@Colonelmustardseed I follow because I love the Lord and because it’s clear He loved me first (even when I didn’t believe).

Yes, sister, this is one thing I couldn't let go unnoticed, what you said above. It is so true. The Bible says that even while we were yet sinners, Jesus loved/loves us anyway, with a love that out-loves anyone. Amen.