"Jesus loves you just the way you are, He just loves you too much for you to stay that way"
I don't know how many times I've heard variations on that statement made over the years, nor how many times I've said it myself, nor who said it first, but I believe it with all my heart.
The thing is, sometimes it appears we - the Church - think it's our job make sure the changing happens in the least loving way possible by wielding the superiority card and laying down the law. This approach becomes especially obvious when dealing with sexual matters, and perhaps especially sexual orientation.
Jesus created the Church to be a safe place; communities where we can be real about our lives, encourage one another, worship God, and spread His love. It's a way of life. But by and large we've failed in making Church a place where people are loved for who they are, greatly reducing the likelihood they'll ever experience the transformative power of His love, grace and mercy in their lives. Just as not everyone had a Saul/Paul flash-bam God-encounter experience back in the day, not everyone is going to now.
We need to be people's God encounters, and as God is love, love is what we need to be : not jealous, proud, rude, selfish or irritable, but patient, kind, faithful, hopeful, enduring. Etc.
I'm full of hope for the Church to really get this. There are people who are building bridges with the persecuted, and in doing so endure persecution from Christians.
As sad as that makes me, the enduring power of love excites me far more. So be love.
This post is part of the #ICSEX Orientation Week discussion taking place over at The Idea Camp. Go and check what else is happening!
