Friday, February 3, 2017

Can You Feel the Zeal?



Lately I've been enraptured by Leah Remini's A&E hit documentary, "Scientology and The Aftermath." Learning about this religion has been fascinating, shocking, and deeply saddening. I have found myself glued to the TV utterly mystified by the lengths so many innocent people have gone to stay in "good standing" with this "church." It's strange and truly sickening to see people so wrapped up in it that family, friendship and ultimately trust is worth sacrificing to stay involved. And that's not mentioning the thousands of dollars one must spend to acquire more "spiritual knowledge."

I have found Leah's ZEAL in exposing the lies, the deception, and the truth of what's going on behind the doors of this cult oh-so-refreshing. She is bold, courageous, and in my honest opinion, quite daring to take on such a religious giant - a giant that is known to come after its critics. Yet, Leah has done it with such humility, grace and style.

What I love about Leah is her authenticity. She wears her heart on her sleeve and lets her real emotions flow - even at the expense of her professionally applied make-up! I love her heart. It is clear that she cares about those who have escaped, as well as those who remain involved. I don't doubt her love for people. Her genuine emotion, heartbreak, and concern make that very, very evident. And because I have to come to truly appreciate Leah's ZEAL to bring darkness to light, I find myself praying for her, the A&E producers, and her co-host, cohort, and former Scientology top dog, Mike Rinder. I pray that on their quest to free others they will encounter the One who can truly make them free, as well. Oh, what they could accomplish for the Kingdom if only they knew the One who is the source of peace, and life, and TRUTH!

When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me,” He meant it. We were created for relationship with Him, and He's the only the One who can fill the hole inside our hearts. He's the one who can give us purpose and direct us into our true destiny. Without Him we find ourselves endlessly searching, willing to fill our lives with anything that will give us some sort of happiness and sense of value.  I know I certainly searched, and came up empty. I may have looked like I had it together -- enjoying the privileges of elected offices, numerous parties, and handsome lips to kiss, but I never found what I was longing for. Peace, purpose, worth, security, JOY was not to be found in my position, my means of escape, or even in the bedroom. 

For me, true peace came when I bowed my knee to Jesus,
opened my Bible, and began to learn about the God of the Universe.

For many Scientologists, their desire is to help mankind. Simply put, they want to make a difference in the world. They long for a sense of purpose - something we all want, and something I believe is intrinsically wired within us. However, they're choosing the wrong venue to meet this need. 

In Rick Warren's book, A Purpose Driven Life, one of the first things that is taught is: "It's not about you!" What an amazingly shocking way to start a book! But boy does it scream such truth! It's not about US, it's about God! It's not about us living for ourselves. It's not about us serving our passions and ignoring the consequences. It's not about us working our way up the ladder so we can boast in our accomplishments. It's about the One who lived and died to make us free. When we realize we exist because of Him, it changes everything!


‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’   Acts 17:28


For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do..”    Ephesians 2:10


“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”  Revelation 4:11