For a long time, I really rejected church and religion. I still do to some extent. I couldn’t see the point of all the “rules” the church told us to follow, and I definitely didn’t understand how they applied to everyday life. It all felt like a list of restrictions designed to take the joy out of living.
But ever since my early 20s, I’ve been on a search for something more—for meaning, for direction, for a sense of why I’m here and what I’m supposed to be doing with my time. Do I have a higher purpose? Is life just about survival, or is there something more?
After years of searching, exploring different philosophies, and looking everywhere I could think of for answers, all roads kept leading me back to the Bible.
And here’s what I’ve come to realize: Jesus wasn’t teaching us rules for the sake of rules. He was giving us a blueprint for a fulfilling, joyful, deeply meaningful life.
Jesus’ Teachings Aren’t About Fear
When I was younger, the message I often heard was: obey or else. Behave, or you’ll go to hell. Follow the rules, or you’re condemned. That kind of teaching never sat right with me, and it certainly didn’t inspire me to live differently.
But as I’ve studied and prayed more, I see that fear was never Jesus’ way. He didn’t come to scare us into obedience—He came to show us how to truly live. He offered freedom, clarity, peace, and purpose.
The Bible isn’t a book of punishments; it’s a guide to quality of life. When Jesus tells us to forgive, to serve, to put others first, to love—even our enemies—it’s not to burden us. It’s to free us. Because bitterness, selfishness, and pride only weigh us down.
What If We Told Kids This Instead?
I can’t help but think how much more interested I would have been in church if someone had explained it to me this way. Instead of using fear to get us to behave, what if we told kids:
- You have free will.
- You can live however you want.
- But if you want a life that’s full of peace, joy, and meaning, Jesus gave us the outline.
Why not tell kids that right in front of them is a roadmap for living a rich, purposeful life? That instead of stumbling through endless trial and error, they can learn from Jesus’ wisdom early on?
Of course, some lessons have to be learned the hard way. And ultimately, everyone has to come to faith in their own time. But imagine if, instead of fear, we led with love and freedom—maybe fewer people would walk away in the first place.
What to Do When You’re Searching
If you’re in that place of searching like I was, here’s what I’ve learned helps:
- Read the Bible—start with the Gospels, where Jesus’ words are clear and direct.
- Pray for discernment—ask God to give you wisdom, not just what you think you want.
- Pray for clarity—that the words you read make sense for your life here and now.
- Seek credible teachers—listen to people who explain Scripture faithfully and with humility.
- Pray for wisdom to pass it on—so your kids don’t have to struggle as much as you did before finding truth.
Coming Back to Jesus
My journey has been long and winding, but it keeps leading back to Jesus. His teachings aren’t about restriction or fear—they’re about life, freedom, and joy.
So when you’re unsure what to do, go back to His words. He already laid out the path, not to control us, but to guide us toward the kind of life we’re all searching for.
And maybe, if we start teaching this truth with love, our kids won’t have to wander so far before they find it, too
Mountain & Mind 
Leave a comment