"I don't need church - I can worship God alone without all the drama and rules."
How it sounds in your head: I feel closer to God on a hike than in a service where people judge my outfit. Why do I need a building, programs, and fake small talk? Jesus spent time alone in nature - I can too.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
-- Hebrews 10:25Source: Mixture of legitimate wound from religious control plus enemy strategy to isolate and pick off alone, away from the flock.
She genuinely does feel God's presence in nature and her room more than in services filled with performance and comparison. The peace of solitude feels more 'spiritual' than the chaos of church culture.
Elijah isolated after victory, told God 'I alone am left' in despair. God's response wasn't 'good, stay alone and pure' - it was 'I have 7,000 others who haven't bowed to Baal - go FIND THEM.' Even the greatest prophet needed community to survive the battle.
I REFUSE the lie that I'm better off spiritually isolated. IT IS WRITTEN that I should not forsake gathering because I need community to thrive. I am not called to perfect church - I'm called to FAMILY, messy and real. The BARAK blessing includes divine connections who will sharpen me, encourage me, and fight beside me. IT IS WRITTEN that where two or three gather in His name, He is there - there's power in agreement I cannot access alone. I am a SHEEP in His flock, and lone sheep get devoured. I will find MY PEOPLE - not perfect people, but COVENANT people. I am LOVED, CONNECTED, and part of a body that needs me as much as I need them.
The Father is running toward you saying, 'I know the building felt suffocating - but don't confuse bad church culture with My design for family. I'm bringing you to YOUR people where you can be fully known and fully loved. The table is set, the family is waiting.' You're not joining an institution - you're coming HOME to siblings.