“Jesus didn’t often lead with law; instead, He led with love and He loved people into holiness.” – Preston Sprinkle
If you’ve been with me the last ten months, or are a friend or family member….then it’s safe to say that you’re probably aware of my passions in life. Traveling, missions, cheerleading, and the gay community/LGBT. My heart over the last 10 months has only grown fonder and stronger for these areas.
The love that I have for the gay community began unknowingly in high school. I instantly became friends with a guy in my class, and we bonded over competitive cheerleading, and our love of the sport. Not long after high school I remember the exact time and location when I received a letter from him to inform me that he had come out to friends and family that he was gay. That he understood if I didn’t want anything to do with him, because he already had people disown him as a friend and whatnot. My heart broke for him. It broke for him, because I couldn’t understand why anyone would shun a person because of an attraction….because of a person being honest with who they were. So I told him that I loved him. That I loved him no matter what, and was there for him for whatever he needed. To this day he remains on of my closest and dearest friends.
As I went off to college, and moved to a different city, and began a new job at a new cheerleading gym I didn’t know many people. Immediately I was taken in by a group of incredible people….a group of gay people that treated me like family….instantly. No questions asked, no judgement thrown upon me for who I was or what I stood for….the just loved me unconditionally. They didn’t outcast me, because I was straight or loved Jesus or was female or was white….they loved me because I loved them. No questions asked. I didn’t put them in a box, or let a preference define them….I just loved them for who they were….and who they are. They became more of a family to me than my own family was at one point. I still consider them family to this day.
I never tried to shove Jesus down their throat. I never picketed outside of their house damning them to hell. I never snubbed my nose at them as though I was better than them. Instead….I loved them. I showed Christ’s love through my actions.
These people, that I love unconditionally with my whole heart, have been my biggest supporters on the World Race….financially and emotionally. They have been with me on this journey since the day I signed up. They’ve followed my journey, and have been my biggest cheerleaders (no pun intended).
I’ve been compelled for some time to write a blog on this topic, but was unsure of how it was “supposed to look”….and knew that I could possibly hit a nerve with some people. God laid it on my heart though, so I prayed a lot, and trusted that He would give me the words when He was ready for me to start typing. That I needed to shine light on a topic that we as Christians hesitate on talking about, and avoid at all costs. That when it comes to welcoming people with open arms we will, but with exceptions and limitations to what’s comfortable to us (notice I say “we”, because yes….I have been at fault in this area more than once in my 28 years). But why? Why should a groups of people receive less love….love from Christ that is? What makes us any better than anyone else to be able to point fingers on who receives the love of Jesus over anyone else? We don’t have that right.
So I encourage you to open your eyes, open your hearts, open your minds, and as cheesy as it may sound think about WWJD? What WOULD Jesus do? Would he shun a group of people based off of differences? NO! He would walk right up to anyone, and show His love for them. He wouldn’t get their life stories or backgrounds first, and then decide if they were worthy or not, because truthfully….none of us are worthy enough of His love, but He loves us anyway. How incredibly fortunate we are.
Our goal as Christians is to become more like Christ. Christ was the epitome of love. Therefore, that’s what we should be….and it has failed to happen on many levels. So until we take the blinders off of our eyes….becoming more like Christ can’t happen.
Am I perfect? Of course not. Do I have all of the answers? Ha….not even close. But I’ve learned more and more how vital it is that we as Christians have got to reevaluate our approach in trying to make disciples. That it is not our job to shame, condemn, or judge people because they don’t look like us, do things the way we do, or live like us. That it is our job to show God’s love through our every day life.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-4
