When ‘The Universe’ has a Name: Finding God Beyond Religion

Is it possible to say no to religion, but yes to God?

Key points:

In the Western world today, an increasing number of people describe themselves as “spiritual, but not religious.”

Many are searching for connection with something greater than themselves — for meaning, purpose, and a sense of belonging in the spiritual realm — yet they’re hesitant to associate with organised religion.

It’s worth asking why.

Research shows that people are not rejecting spirituality itself.

Research shows that people are not rejecting spirituality itself, but often the institutions that claim to represent it. The reasons are familiar: hypocrisy, when the church says one thing but does another; coercion, the sense of being told what to do rather than invited into a relationship; and judgementalism — the shame, guilt, and fear-based rules that restrict rather than release life.

Jesus: Spiritual, Not Religious?

Strangely enough, Jesus himself could be described as spiritual, not religious.

Yes, he attended the synagogue and knew the Torah well, but he often clashed with the religious leaders of His day. Why? Because they placed rules and rituals above people. They kept the letter of the law but missed its heart.

They were careful to pay their tithes, yet ignored justice and mercy for the poor (Matthew 23:23).

Jesus’ message was clear: religious practices were never meant to overshadow love.

They even criticised Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, valuing religious observance over human compassion. (Matthew 12:11-12)

Jesus’ message was clear: religious practices were never meant to overshadow love. They exist to serve the greater goal of loving God and loving people. The outward form of religion should be a vehicle for an inward relationship.

The Pharisees had the structure, but they’d lost the Spirit.

The hunger beneath the rejection

Perhaps things aren’t so different today. Those who describe themselves as spiritual but not religious may be rejecting the empty shell of religion — but not necessarily Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

They are drawn to the divine qualities of love, peace, and grace, even if they don’t yet know the fullness of the One behind them.

There is something in the heart of every person that reaches out toward God.

I remember a conversation with a friend over coffee. As she talked about the challenges of her job, she kept saying, “The universe is saying this…” and “The universe has my back.”

As I listened, I realised that if we simply substituted the word “God” for “universe,” we’d be saying the same thing. Yes — God does have your back. Yes — God is speaking. Yes — God does have a plan.

There is something in the heart of every person that reaches out toward God. And it shouldn’t surprise us. If we are made in the image of God, then a natural longing for Him is woven into our very being.

As the Apostle Paul said of humanity; “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27)

God is near to those who seek

We are all wired to seek God — even modern neuroscience now confirms that faith and spirituality contribute to mental health and wellbeing. Deep within us, there’s a resonance with love, grace, and purpose, and an instinctive turning away from the toxicity of sin and death.

Listen to ‘Everyday God Conversations’ with Tania Harris wherever you get your podcasts.

This is precisely where the Holy Spirit is at work: in the hearts of those who are searching, longing, and reaching for something more.

And it’s where we, too, have an opportunity.

Our call is to embody the love of God and make Him known — not through coercion or judgment, but through grace and truth. We can help seekers put a name to the Presence they already sense. We can show them that the voice of “the universe” they hear whispering is, in fact, the voice of a loving Father calling them home.

Listen to ‘Everyday God Conversations’ with Tania Harris wherever you get your podcasts.

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