A call to love.

I may be in the midst of living in toddler land, but it really doesn't take much to see how the world is rapidly changing. There are so many things I never imagined would ever be up as an issue, but I feel the need to address one in particular. I am a Christian and a mom. I work hard to raise my children up in the ways of God and to be a positive impact in their world as adults. (Long road ahead.) The topic that floods the airways and the facebook news feed is the topic of marriage equality. So, as a Christian and a mom teaching her kids about life and the world around them, what does that look like? Honestly, this was hard for me to wrap my head around at first. Since everyone loves to post their opinions left and right, I asked God "Lord, what is your heart about this?"

As Christians, we are to be the image-bearers of Jesus Christ. That means we are literally representing JESUS to the entire world! It will not be the most popular image to bear, but then again Jesus was not exactly "popular" in the time he lived. Being a Christian is a tough calling, but a blessed one. Being a Christian was never meant to be "cool", so why do we pretend to fit in? We aren't suppposed to! That being said, we are also told to love people. Jesus said to love, and loving does not always mean to "support" or "conform". He never said "love other Christians and boycott anything and everything having to do with sin." No one is asking you to support marriage equality. It really is ok to believe what the Bible says about marriage and STILL have love for those who believe otherwise.

A few years ago, I once had the opportunity to have a conversation with a man I had become friends with. He was in a homosexual relationship, and would often talk about going to church but feeling that he would never be "allowed" to even attend. He said to me, "I believe what the Bible says...but  I feel otherwise. Until God can change the way I feel, this is my life." Let me ask you...how do you think someone with that heart and courage get to know to God who can change a heart, unless we as Christians are displaying love in a way that makes a homosexual man or woman even want to attend your church? This conversation comes up in my memory quite often and I am heartbroken that this wonderful person just sees the way most Christians in this country behave. I pray for him and hope to see God move in his life one day, that he would get to know Christ as he really is.

A note to my Christian friends,
There will be things in this life and in this world we don't agree with. Sure, there are things that grieve God's heart and break our hearts, too. That's good, that's how it should be. Our response is not out of love. No, I see Christians lining up at Chick fil a and boycotting Starbucks. We are sore winners with an "i'm right and you're wrong" attitude. We argue and tell the "truth" but out of anger and everything that is the opposite of love. Think about the biggest arguements you have ever had. What was your response to the other person telling you how wrong you were? We don't like that, so why do we love telling a homosexual how wrong they are? Guess what...if you have sin, and you do, you are not perfect. If you masturbate or look at porn or have pre marital sex you are just as "bad" as they are! Jesus calls us to shine our light into the darkness, not shine where there is already light. I urge you, my brothers and sisters, examine your hearts and attitudes. Compare scripture, mediate on it. Ask God for clarity. He is faithful to give it and he will give you the answers you need. Stop shoving your rights in others faces and looking down on others. Stop changing your Facebook profile picture just because everyone else has the equality symbol. (Seriously. Stop.) Start loving people for who they are, right where they are. God had the same grace and compassion for us before we knew him. Will you be a light to the darkness around you? Will you allow God's grace to flow through you, even when it hurts? Even when it's hard? We are to love, and love well. If every Christian showed this attitude, God would have more to work with and there would be more change than there is right now.

When we speak truth,  speak it in love. Instead of saying "Hey, you're gay and that's wrong. That's a sin and you need to change." say, "Hey, I see you. I hear you and guess what? Jesus loves you. Right now, just as you are." What would it look like if we went out into the world and had those kind of conversations? Like I said, you don't have to agree. You can hold firm and stand on the truth of scripture, and I absolutely do. Jesus said the world would know him by our love. So, why aren't Christians known for their love? Let's get back to that.