do something...

About eight years ago, I was driving with a friend and talking about the Church and the LGBTQ community. I was lamenting aloud about the state of relations between them and the reputation the evangelical church had of being unloving.

My friend (who was a woman of few, but worthy words) simply said, “Then do something.”

My immediate thought was, “Me? Who am I, that I could do anything about this?” 

About a month later, I heard the Holy Spirit clearly say, “ I am going to use you to speak to the Church and bring change.” 

Me? What could I really do?

Perhaps you are asking yourself the same question. What can one person do?

I’m not sharing this story to point at myself to say, “Wow, look at how I’m being used!”

I’m prompted to share because most of you reading are exactly like me—just a normal person trying to love Jesus and others well, not a “world changer.” I believe that God will use any willing soul. That has definitely been my experience!

Honestly, if you were going to pick someone to influence the Church to love LGBTQ people, would you pick a forty year old, straight, married woman who twelve years ago knew little appropriate language and also knew few gay people? I would not pick her if I were the Lord. Too much upfront training and investment needed. She had no natural connections in the gay community or the broader Church community for that matter. She didn’t completely understand why her views on sexuality were conservative—she needed a lot of study. She cried too easily, she was awkward in conversation at PFLAG (parents and friends of lesbians and gays), and had a host of other reasons to disqualify her.

But I have watched the Lord take my willing heart and bend it to suit His will. I have lived through Him breaking my heart as I met and got to know LGBTQ people. I have experienced His ability to open up situations and opportunities just as I was able to walk into them.

All it took was for me to pray, “Lord, I’m willing to walk through whatever doors you open”. Eight years ago I uttered that prayer, with no real idea of all that would happen. All that God required of me to be willing to be morphed into the person that is typing right now.

It often makes me laugh out loud to think that I have written a blog for over a year now! I have gotten to know people, really know them, at a little local gay bar. I have gotten to walk alongside students at our local Christian college as they navigate figuring out what they really believe in the area of sexuality and how Jesus can provide for them as they walk forward. I helped change our summer camp ministry with our older teens to provide a place for open discussions about gender. 

All of these things still make me chuckle as I look at the unlikely character that I am. An unlikely character with a willing heart. 

Perhaps your heart is willing?

You also could see the Lord turn your unlikeliness into opportunities to glorify Him—if you will allow the Lord to speak to your heart and pull out the areas and people He has given you passion for. I personally am hoping He’s given you a passion to see the evangelical church become a more loving space for LGBTQ folk—saved and unsaved. I am wanting some like-minded friends on the path!

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with a friend. It’s important that we pray and work towards the evangelical church being a more loving space!