The Marquee
On my regular driving route, I drive by several churches. The specific church that I will be referring to doesn’t matter and, in some ways, distracts from the thought process I’m trying to convey. So, let us just leave it as a church I drove by. And in front of it is a lighted marquee sign.
I was at that intersection waiting for the light and I started looking at the church’s marquee. The first thing I saw was something like “we respect your preferred pronouns.” Honestly, now that I am writing, I am not sure what the exact words were because my guard instantly went up. The next screen was something like “we love you regardless of your situation.” This did not change my apprehension.
As I was driving, and pondering my reaction, I realized how stupid and short sighted I was. You see society has tried to trained me (and maybe you too), that transsexuals should be embraced and supported especially in regard to their preferred pronouns (maybe pummeled over the head is a better description of societies’ brow beating). I do not ascribe to that philosophy at all. In my opinion, gender is a result of birth and not preference. I digress.
Regardless of your views on the LBGTQ+ issues, the commandment of God that we love our neighbors is not limited to people who agree with us. But back to the church. Their marquee does not state that the church’s position is one of acceptance and concurrence with a LGBTQ+ lifestyle. The marquee simply stated that people were welcome and loved regardless of their preferred pronouns.
As I thought about my reaction, I realized I was looking at the half empty glass (assuming what I consider the worse interpretation), rather than the half full glass (assuming they are trying to welcome sinners of all kinds).
I consider church to be a collection of sinners of all kinds. Hopefully, we’ve all accepted Christ as our savior and our names are recorded in the book of life. Ideally, our church is a place for us to go for support and fellowship and learning to recharge our spiritual battery and help us with our own faith walk. The ultimate goal should be to recharge ourselves to go out and make disciples of the world.
“And Jesus came and said to them,’“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” - Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
I was watching some videos on the internet and one of them was a speaker who I’ve only recently discovered for his theology along with his conservative political philosophy. He stated that each of us breaks the Ten Commandments daily. When he said this, it took my breath away as I realized he was correct.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” - Matthew 5:21-28
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” - James 1:14-15
My point is that maybe if we approached the situation as more of the glass half full (optimistic), until we know different, maybe we would be happier and more content ourself. Isn’t that part of the fruit of the spirit?
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” - Hebrews 12:12-15
