My Journey: From Religion to a Relationship with Christ
Shaun Preston
Growing up in a Catholic family, faith was something I inherited rather than chose. Like many, I followed the rituals, went to church, and recited prayers, but it all felt more like a routine than a meaningful connection. Believing in God was something I did because it was what my family taught me, but it wasn’t personal to me. It was religion, not relationship.
As a teenager, I came to terms with my identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. At the time, I felt like there wasn’t a place for me in the church. The disconnect between my sexuality and the church’s teachings made me decide to walk away. I began to identify more as spiritual but without any connection to Christ. I still believed in a higher power, but to me, that didn’t include Christianity. It seemed too rigid, too focused on rules and restrictions. The Christians I saw around me seemed judgmental, and I thought I understood what Christianity was all about—until I had a major awakening in my 30s.
That’s when everything changed. I came to the realization that my understanding of Christianity, and the way the world often views it, was wrong. Christianity isn’t meant to be a religion—it’s supposed to be a relationship with your Creator.
For many years, I believed Christianity was just another set of beliefs, doctrines, and rituals. I thought it was about attending church, memorizing verses, and following certain rules. But I’ve learned that this couldn’t be further from the truth. The essence of Christianity isn’t about ticking religious boxes; it’s about experiencing a deep, personal connection with God. And that’s what Jesus represents—He is the bridge to that relationship with the God of the universe.
The more I grew in my relationship with Christ, the more I realized the world’s misunderstanding of what it means to be a Christian. People outside the faith often view it as a religion, a set of ideas, or a church system. But the heart of Christianity is not a list of “do’s and don’ts”; it’s a living, breathing relationship with a God who knows and loves us.
Being a Christian isn’t about perfection or following every rule to the letter. It’s about walking with Christ daily, seeking His heart, and knowing that He accepts and loves me just as I am, including every part of my identity. That’s the real difference—the shift from religion to relationship.
As someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, this relationship with Christ has been healing and transformative. It’s shown me that God’s love isn’t confined by human rules or expectations. He desires a personal relationship with each of us, no matter where we come from or what labels we carry.
If there’s one thing I want to share, it’s this: Christianity isn’t about being “religious.” It’s not about sitting in church on Sundays or following a set of beliefs. It’s about the God who created you, loves you deeply, and wants a relationship with you. Jesus is the way to that relationship, and that truth changed everything for me.