Unburdened by Vance PitmanSample

The Burden of Religion

What comes to mind when you hear the word religion? What images do you see? What emotions do you feel? For me, the concept of “religion” brings to mind a heavy burden—a weight laid across my shoulders that constantly bogs me down and makes me collapse under the pressure. Religion is all about rules I have to follow even when they don’t benefit anyone and don’t make sense. Religion involves words and phrases to memorize and recite on command, even when we don’t know what they mean or why they matter.

Religion is exhausting!

I remember my first experiences with this kind of “religion.” I became a follower of Jesus when I was in college, and during that early period of my faith, I was encouraged to join an accountability group. Looking back, I can see the principle behind this group was good, but the practice of that particular accountability group wasn’t good. Its focus was on dos and don’ts, rights and wrongs, rules and regulations. Its focus was religion.

Every week we spent the first half of our time together “examining” one another with a list of performance-based questions. How many days this week did you read your Bible? How many hours did you pray? On top of these questions, I was asked about what I listened to, or what I looked at, or where I went. As a result of this weekly examination, I quickly came to the conclusion that following Jesus was all about performance. I hated constantly carrying the burden of expectations—both my own and others’.

Maybe you don’t have to imagine a spiritual life that feels more like a burden than a blessing. Maybe you’ve experienced that heaviness in your past or you’re carrying that weight now. If you’ve been there, you know keeping up a spiritual facade is hard work! The weight of my religious load was more than I could handle, and I wanted to give up.

I spent many years trying to live for Jesus under the duty of religion. But I’m grateful to say I don’t carry that burden now. By God’s grace, I’ve let go of religion and the pursuit of performing for Jesus, and I’ve embraced a life lived out of simply being with Jesus. You can have the freedom and simplicity Jesus promises for every one of His followers. Will you join me on this journey? I can’t wait to get started!

What feels burdensome to you about trying to live for Jesus?