Religion vs. Relationship

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Galatians 5:16 NLT

Let the force flow through you, is honestly the first thing that comes to my mind. My sister Sarah and her family are leaving this morning back home to Croatia. We said our goodbyes last night at mom and dads. I slept ok again, not the best. Shayne brought mommy her glasses in two pieces yesterday so we'll be visiting the eye doctor today (the force is strong with this one, lol). Sip some coffee, I read and think. The major difference between "the force" and "the holy spirit" is that the force was an it, and the Holy Spirit is God. You could learn and control the force and the spirit you can't control, he does as he pleases and I need to obey Him.  I'm reminded of the scene from star wars a new hope, when the counsel is meeting and discussing the deathstar.

Darth Vader: Don't be to proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the potential of the Force.

Admiral Motti: Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerous ways, Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient Jedi religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you enough clairvoyance to find the rebels' hidden fortress... [Vader makes a pinching motion and Motti starts choking]

Darth Vader : I find your lack of faith disturbing.

Governor Tarkin: Enough of this! Vader, release him!

Darth Vader: As you wish.

I read and think, I'm amazed how many people think I'm religious, I'm not. Jesus came to erase that religious stuff and introduce us to a relationship with Him. Admiral Motti thought the same thing. If I were to treat my relationship as a religion I would be scared to death because I would never get it right. I couldn't read the bible on my own, it would have to be at church, I couldn't vent to God about things because I would think I always need to be happy. I would always try to do good because I would think that's all that counts to get to heaven and want good karma. But yet what I define as good is different that someone else's, so I would still be going to hell. I would have to dress nice and hope the manufacturers who made the clothes I'm wearing aren't into abortion or other bad things, because I would be supporting them. I'd feel bad for the all the men who can't grow beards because they would be doomed. oh crap, I farted, but that was good coffee, how do I measure that? I'm really no different than any other sinner accept that I accepted and believed the message of Christ that He wants a relationship with me and wants to erase this religion that was established. Ya I still sin, but I can get help with it, I can't make it to church, I work on Sunday's, I walk the halls of the hotel with God in my heart. Even when I'm not close to Him like I remember I hear His spirit tell me things (which I usually don't want to do). Hits me, the death star was larger than any planet, yet Darth Vader knew the power of the force could destroy it and do anything. I'm amazed of what lack of faith I have at times in the biggest things. Oh God doesn't care about this cold I have, its seasonal, He only cares about my relationship with Him, yet its my sinful nature coming out. He cares enough that he provides food for the birds, and enough to give me interest in a career that I can hold a job during a rough economy, yet we had a terrible year financially a few years back, when we cussed and yelled at Him to help us out. He knows my language when no one else gets me. That can't be religion. They built the death star with a heart in the center that Luke could destroy, and Darth Vader choked Admiral Motti to prove his point. It's not a good conscience that does it, it's me obeying His guidance in my life especially when I don't want to, because whatever Death Star I have built up in my life that I thought was the answer can so easily be destroyed by obeying Him, and what's even more crazy is how He had that planned the whole time.