“It’s been fun finding God in the places the church told me not to look”

II was inspired by this quote I found (or maybe it found me).

I thought about it. Then I didn't. And then I thought about it again.

Church was never something I looked forward to as a kid. It was boring. I wanted to be outside playing or doing anything else. I didn't understand what they were talking about. We'd sing a hymn, listen to more talking, and sometimes my sister and I would go to Sunday School while the adults stayed in the sanctuary.

I was always under the impression that going to church was how you got into heaven. Boy, was I wrong. I've come to realize that nothing could be further from the truth.

Church is a gathering place, but it is not the only place God exists. It is not the path to everlasting life.

Walk outside. Listen to the insects at night or a storm passing through. Think about that promotion you earned after working hard to become the best version of yourself, or the love you received when you needed it most. God is the grace you give yourself after making a mistake. God is the time you sacrifice to make sure someone else knows they're needed.

Every day, we are placed in situations where God is present, yet many people never acknowledge it because they have no interest in church. But church is not the only place to look.

I've only recently begun realizing this for so many reasons. I don't wish to debate religion or convince anyone to see things the way I do, but I can honestly say I don't believe church is necessary to be with God. If someone tells you otherwise, I believe there's a fundamental disconnect. They've missed the point that we are all creations of God and that Jesus lived a life we should all aspire to emulate.

It isn't about showing up to church every Sunday, being able to recite Bible verses, or telling people how many times you've read the Bible. God is in our backyard, the roof over our heads, our work, our love for one another, and even in both the beauty and the ugliness of this world. Sometimes the hardest moments—the ones that feel unfair or even evil—are the very experiences that teach us the lessons we need most. They shape us into better people.

For many years, I denied that. I thought I was the one in control, when in reality, I wasn't.

Finding God's presence in the things I do, the person I am, and the life I'm living has been more freeing than I ever expected. Realizing I don't need to look a certain way or dress a certain way to have God in my life was another eye-opening experience.

We are all God's children, and Jesus never expected anyone to have their life perfectly together before sitting beside Him. None of us will ever be perfect, and that's okay.

But if more people focused on accepting, serving, and loving one another, this world would be a little less exhausting to be a part of