You may have heard the well meaning phrase, "God loves you as you are, but loves you too much too leave you as you are"
There is of course truth in this. God is in the business of transforming us. The picture of being changed from an earth bound caterpillar into a beautiful, free to fly butterfly is very apt for the transformation process. We all know there are areas of our lives which need to be changed. Certainly if we are alive at all, we know that we want to be someone whom others love to be with, we don't want to be some pain in the neck. We know also that issues of selfishness, pride, arrogance can keep us from developing and living in healthy communities for which were were made.
He doesn't bring about this transformation through a list of does and don'ts, must and oughts. As we get to know him it is his love which leads us to turn in a different direction, to want to change as his Holy Spirit enables us. I heard someone say recently, guilt, fear, anxiety and shame, do not bring healing or life to anyone. That's why at the heart of the Good News, is God's deep love, mercy, grace, and longing for us to come back home to him.
Returning to our first phrase. I believe that it makes sense if all the above is understood. All of us need to be transformed to be fully human and fully alive.
However this phrase also becomes negative, and condescending when used against gay people. The assumption is, if you are gay or consider yourself homosexual, then God can't leave you like that! The reality is he does! And there are many out there who are gay,AND find themselves being transformed into his likeness.Gay and Christian do not have to be opposites. Our fundamental identity is to be a child of God.
If you are struggling with shame, because of what others have said or spoken over you, take time to hear how God sees you. You were made in his image, you are loved and accepted as you are, in all your selfishness and shadows. Receive that, and rest there for a while.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Living on the outside
Gestation periods are often longer than we think. When the Berlin wall came down it appeared that Communism had fallen suddenly, however the winds of change had been blowing for a long time.
For many people in their ordinary individual lives, change also takes time- sometimes a long time.
For many Christian people,in relation to their sexuality, there can be many years of denial, shame and anxiety, before there is an admission that maybe its o.k to be gay- or however you finally refer to yourself.
For me, amongst other things there was a fear of facing up to my sexuality, and of being put on the outside of a Church and away from friends which I held so dear. In the end , my fear and denial meant I made wrong choices which put me on the outside anyway.
The thing is, my main identity is as a child of God. I know that Jesus loves me and gave himself for me. That's the grounding of my life, in the Grace of God.
How good it is then to know that Jesus was put outside the camp,(Hebrews).... he died an outsider, or so they thought! Even the great Church leader Paul, spent so much of his time, in prison and without the friends he really cherished, some of whom left him. Not everyone was fine about Paul in the beginning. Read Philippians eg
Maybe there are times to live on the outside, and in vulnerability and uncertainty, learn to trust in the one who holds us in the palm of his hand.
For many people in their ordinary individual lives, change also takes time- sometimes a long time.
For many Christian people,in relation to their sexuality, there can be many years of denial, shame and anxiety, before there is an admission that maybe its o.k to be gay- or however you finally refer to yourself.
For me, amongst other things there was a fear of facing up to my sexuality, and of being put on the outside of a Church and away from friends which I held so dear. In the end , my fear and denial meant I made wrong choices which put me on the outside anyway.
The thing is, my main identity is as a child of God. I know that Jesus loves me and gave himself for me. That's the grounding of my life, in the Grace of God.
How good it is then to know that Jesus was put outside the camp,(Hebrews).... he died an outsider, or so they thought! Even the great Church leader Paul, spent so much of his time, in prison and without the friends he really cherished, some of whom left him. Not everyone was fine about Paul in the beginning. Read Philippians eg
Maybe there are times to live on the outside, and in vulnerability and uncertainty, learn to trust in the one who holds us in the palm of his hand.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
A start
It has been encouraging to see so many people view the courage website.
For those who come from Christian backgrounds where homosexual orientation is a big No No, or for those who have come out as gay, but still want to be a follower of Jesus,(who else makes sense of life), or who are struggling privately and who view life through a negative, fearful, shame based lense.Yet believe that God's love casts out fear.
This blog is for you !
Lets start with acknowledging that Ireland is a village. It is hard to be real, and to swim against the tide in what is really a big village!
Some times we are not sure if we want to stand out, maybe there is too much at stake, the cost is too great, and maybe we are not sure of where we are at anyway.
Sometimes we would love to tell our story, just to say who we are, with all that is inglorious,and maybe confused, as well as the joy and hope that is in us. To be heard with grace, love and acceptance.
Well if it helps to do that, you could e-mail www.courage.ie
But a good place to start is to acknowledge, that whatever my sexuality, I can know myself loved by God. I am a person, made in his image. I am someone for whom Jesus Christ died, he sees me as someone special. All of that is true, whether I am gay or straight. I am loved, and it matters that I choose to continue to be a follower of the one who gives LIFE. That's a good start !
For those who come from Christian backgrounds where homosexual orientation is a big No No, or for those who have come out as gay, but still want to be a follower of Jesus,(who else makes sense of life), or who are struggling privately and who view life through a negative, fearful, shame based lense.Yet believe that God's love casts out fear.
This blog is for you !
Lets start with acknowledging that Ireland is a village. It is hard to be real, and to swim against the tide in what is really a big village!
Some times we are not sure if we want to stand out, maybe there is too much at stake, the cost is too great, and maybe we are not sure of where we are at anyway.
Sometimes we would love to tell our story, just to say who we are, with all that is inglorious,and maybe confused, as well as the joy and hope that is in us. To be heard with grace, love and acceptance.
Well if it helps to do that, you could e-mail www.courage.ie
But a good place to start is to acknowledge, that whatever my sexuality, I can know myself loved by God. I am a person, made in his image. I am someone for whom Jesus Christ died, he sees me as someone special. All of that is true, whether I am gay or straight. I am loved, and it matters that I choose to continue to be a follower of the one who gives LIFE. That's a good start !
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