I'm really tired.
Tired of the hate, the fear, and the arguing about homosexuality.
I'm tired of the blatant judging, the unloving words and actions, and the fear.
I usually try to stay out of all the controversy and even the conversations on this topic.
I'm not writing this for any other reason than to express that I am tired of it.
I'm not suggesting that I have all the answers to the different questions and concerns.
I do not.
I am a Christian and I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!
I do have some thoughts though.
When we practice hospitality, as the bible suggests, what does that look like? I find it hard to believe that if you are interacting with friends and acquaintances, you are distracted the entire time about their sin. When you are asking them questions and learning more about them, are you thinking "Oh my gosh, this person is a sinner! This person has credit card debt, yet keeps purchasing things, this is clearly the sin of greed and I am so uncomfortable right now.I can hardly have this conversation because I fear that the subject might come up again and I don't know what to say. Should I tell this person I think they are sinning? Should I even be hanging out with them? What if it does come up? Do I have my bible verses memorized and ready to defend why I think greed is a sin? If not, then I should not bring it up. Oh, this is so uncomfortable. I would rather not even hang out with this person!"
Do we do that? Do we have those burning thoughts?
What if the person is overweight. And what if we witness with our own eyes that the person has a plate that is overfull with food. Do we find ourselves thinking "Oh man, this is so awkward. I should probably let this person know that gluttony is a sin. I don't know if I want my kids hanging out in here with this person who clearly doesn't see their behavior as sinful. How am I going to explain to my kids that what this person is doing is wrong and sinful and God hates sin, but God doesn't hate the fat person? I don't like this. Maybe I shouldn't have invited this person. Should I say something? If I don't say something, then am I condoning the sin?"
I could go on and on.
It's unthinkable that I would struggle with those thoughts with every person I am interacting with.
Yet, I know people who struggle with thoughts like this when they are hanging out with someone who is gay. I know some people who wouldn't want to be around a person who is gay because they feel so uncomfortable and don't know what they should say. And they fear that if they don't say something, that could be perceived as condoning the sin. All they can think about is the fact that the person is gay. THAT IS SO STUPID! And I am so sick of it.
I don't have all the answers.
I'm just tired of the hate, the judgement, the fear, the arguing.
And, most of all, I'm tired of people not loving other people, yet feeling righteous and "right" and perfectly comfortable with their judgment and condemnation.
If someone is not in a deep, loving, mutually respectful relationship with the other person, I wish they would consider restraining their urge to point out what they feel is sinful behavior in the person. I wish they would consider how they can show the love of Christ to the person and develop a deep, loving, mutually respectful relationship. At that point, within the context of love and trust, maybe the topic could be discussed. Maybe. It is especially maddening that some feel it is necessary to convince people who do not share their beliefs or faith that what they are doing is wrong and sinful.
There are a lot of Jewish laws that, as a Christian, I do not observe or follow. While living in Brooklyn, I was frequently in the same company with people who observe Jewish customs. Imagine for a moment that one of those people felt a deep conviction that eating pork is wrong because of what the bible has to say about what is clean and unclean to eat. Now imagine if that person approached me, as I munched on my BLT, and began to speak against me as a sinner who was disrespecting God and making a mockery of His word. What? I don't even agree with you that it is wrong! My reaction would be to think "get away from me, you hateful. condemning, judgmental, weirdo!" I would not feel loved or cared about at all.. I would only feel hated and condemned. Yet, some Christians feel the need to express their condemnation to anyone and everyone, without any relationship or trust in place for the person to feel loved and cared about. And, without any regard for what that person believes or thinks.
OK, I do not have the answers.
I do not want to debate any issues about whether being gay is a sin, etc.
I simply want to say that I wish we could ALL learn to be better at LOVING others. I wish we could ALL be better at loving God, accepting His outrageous grace, filling up on His truth and love, and pouring out that same outrageous grace and love to people.
1 comment:
I concur! Everybody needs love and we shouldn't be highlighting one anothers' sins. I'm sure I probably have even more sin but it's "socially acceptable" and so not as noticeable. We don't have to make a big deal about one small piece of an individual. G-d loves variety, He created diversity. Embrace differences!
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