I really thought that I was done writing about this subject, but of course, God has decided otherwise. I saw the article the other day about Christian rocker Trey Pearson coming out to his fans in an emotional letter and tried to ignore it. For those who have been following my blog a while you may recall a few posts I wrote about homosexuality and Christianity. For those who have not, here are the links to those posts:
https://1betternotbitter.com/2015/04/28/newsflash-god-loves-homosexuals-too/
https://1betternotbitter.com/2015/06/29/can-a-christian-be-gay/
https://1betternotbitter.com/2015/05/23/grace-for-the-gay-life/
So I felt the need to revisit the topic again anyway because it seems that we Christians are definitely split on the issue. I admit that at times I have even been split myself. I don’t condone the lifestyle. However, neither do I condemn it. I used to wonder why on earth a woman would choose to be with another woman who looks and acts like a man. I used to wonder why on earth a man would be with another man who looks and acts like a woman. And I really had no intention of ever writing about the transgender public toilet issue, but as I learn to be more obedient to the Holy Spirit I realize I have little choice in at least bringing the issue to light.
I wondered initially why in the world would God place this title on my heart. It seems so heartless, but I realized that I had heard the song, knew it was an oldie, but had never really paid attention to the lyrics before. I found an interesting parallel to it and the way we seem to treat people of faith who admit their truth to the world. Check it out here:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/queen/anotheronebitesthedust.html
I couldn’t help but consider the way we gun down our own so quickly. Now granted, initially I was disturbed by the headline about Trey Pearson. Yes, I am a Christian and yes, I said I was initially disturbed. However, I suppose I was most disturbed by it because I’ve known so many people over the years who have battled with the cover up. It helped me feel more comfortable with the content of the remainder of this post when I saw the snippets of his interview from the View.
And when I say the “cover up” I don’t mean just covering homosexual desires. I mean any type of secret sins. You know the church girl who’s really addicted to sex, the deacon who really has a drug problem, the minister who’s committed adultery multiple times, and yes, the Christian struggling with homosexuality among others.
It seems the church is the only place where we kill our wounded.
Well, about the “coming out issue.” A while ago, I befriended a young lady and we hit it off great. I’ve never been ashamed of discussing Jesus with anyone and let my kids tell it, I “make everything about Jesus!” I used to shrink back because of them saying things like this, but hey I do and I will continue to do so. Of course I’m not bashing folk over the head with the bible, but somehow I tell a little of my testimony everywhere I go. I guess when you have lived through as much as I have gratitude just seeps.
Anyway, this young lady was married and had a 15-month old daughter when we met. We’ve since lost touch and that’s really the only reason I feel comfortable sharing this.
At the time, I immediately noticed the smile on her face didn’t match the sadness in her eyes when she spoke. It was a façade. However, at the time, I thought her mask was one hiding domestic violence and not that she had been struggling with homosexuality. As a matter of fact, in our first interaction, I mentioned this blog and I commented about how God was allowing me to minister in the strangest ways to all sorts of people. She is a Christian too.
For the record, Christianity has absolutely nothing to do with religion. It is a relationship with God through Christ!
Moving on….
I recall now that at some point in that initial interaction I mentioned I had been called to even assist those struggling with homosexuality, but I hadn’t understood how yet…that I really believe that avenue will be handled by my son as noted in one of the posts above. I guess I was in my talkative zone and didn’t notice her gaze at that moment.
Fast forward a few months…we only spoke a few more times when I’d talked with her about my writing, my kids, my desire to visit Nigeria to which she mentioned that her husband is Nigerian. Well, the last contact I had with her struck me. Though it had been a while since we spoke. I guess seminary had me touch and go. Anyway, I knew that God put her on my heart for a reason so I texted her to see how she was doing. She quickly responded that she had been going through. I felt the need to send a message something like: “If you just need someone to listen, I’m here. No judgement.”
Boy was I in for a surprise! I just knew she was going to say something about her husband hitting her or some junk, but she dropped this bomb instead: “My husband found some nude photos of a woman in my phone and I was entertaining it. He knows that I was sexually involved with women before we got together. He is really hurt.”
I just sat in the parking lot in awe. However, my response to her admission was that nothing is too hard for God and then I found myself sharing what I am about to share here with you. “Well, we have all slipped out of God’s will, and while I have never been in a lesbian situation, I have no idea how many men I have slept with! Yes, it’s been that many! If God’s grace could cover me, He could change anyone.” She responded with relief and gratitude. I prayed for her and her marriage. I prayed for God’s mercy and His guidance. However, most importantly before I ended our conversation I made sure that she knew that God loves her and that I did also.
I’m only sharing this now because I lost touch with her after that and I feel that someone out there needs to know this.
I hope and pray that things are going well for her now, but only God knows the outcome of that scenario. What I do know is the outcome of my scenario and what I have observed so far in this scenario with Trey Pearson.
He is being exactly who he believes God made him to be. It’s really not for us to understand his mind and heart. As for that acquaintance, she was obviously struggling with a sexual situation or even a soul tie. That in itself is from the enemy just as I had been. I used sex as an outlet because I didn’t even understand how much I was worth.
Now I did notice that Trey mentioned that he had been “attracted” to men since adolescence. It seems that it would have a sexual aspect to it on the surface, but who knows? God does and yes He will judge accordingly. Regardless, he will also judge everyone else for the lies, fornication, adultery, idolatry, murder, etc. No sin is bigger than another, but all too often we surely try to make it that way, don’t we?
I don’t condone homosexuality. I’ve just grown in my faith enough to know that sometimes the only way to persuade others from the error of their ways is to love them through it. That’s what Christ did for me and to me. In fact, I was the main one condemning myself and then He allowed me to put myself in the place of the women caught in the act of adultery…oh yeah, I’ve been there and done that too..TWICE!!! So I guess if I could end this post with anything that needs to be said it would be what Jesus said to her/me:
John 8:8-11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground. 9 They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
BAM!!! And there it is folks. I figure I should let that whole deliverance from sexual and relational addictions out there before the enemy has the nerve to think that I care about the things I’ve done in my past. However, I realize that I’m no longer ashamed because I’ve been delivered from the desire to “need” an illicit relationship to feel complete. That’s what true wholeness it about. I’ve finally got it and I’m not giving it up for anybody.
All that said, when it comes to people who struggle with sin regardless of whether it is on display or covered, we as Christians are not called to condemn them. We are to love them so at least then another one doesn’t have to bite the dust.
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