Religion is,
at heart,
the story of grace.

Whatever codes, creeds, morality, doctrine
we've piled on top of that story–
it's all peripheral,
optional,
not central,
not foundational,
only created to assuage
our insecurity.

And if, by chance,
these trappings slow you down
on the upward climb to compassion,
it's time to release them,
to travel more lightly.

You will get there sooner.

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.