Early on Sunday morning while many of us were asleep a tragedy struck a nightclub in Orlando. You’ve undoubtedly heard of the happenings so we won’t dwell on that too much. You’ve also most assuredly heard the spin that’s happening in the news media and all over social networks. The big question people are asking is who’s to blame?
Political parties are taking sides. Leaders are digging in their heels. Members of religious communities are pointing fingers at those who live different lifestyles. All of this while family members are reeling in the agony of loss. I’m growing increasingly concerned by the fact that we just might be looking at this the wrong way. It appears that we are focusing on those who died when perhaps our focus should be on how to comfort those who survived.
While this was a targeted event, aimed at a specific people group with which you may or may not agree – our response says a great deal about what we actually believe. I’ve heard far too much accusation and judgment. It’s quite disturbing. Alarming to say the very least! But this isn’t the first time that terror has struck this country. And, not to be an alarmist, it won’t be the last! As a matter of fact, if you believe the chatter, this could be just the beginning.
But what are we supposed to do? Now that Orlando is in the rearview mirror for so many of us, what do we do now? How do we react? What are we supposed to say? How are we to interact with people with whom we disagree?
In my opinion this is probably the biggest lesson we can learn from these events. How can we treat one another with the love we’re called to embrace? As a pastor, I know that we preach a message of love, but I’m not seeing it being lived out. Jesus gave us one command and that is to love God and love one another. He didn’t say to love those who always agree with you and live the way you do. Love has to do with respect not agreement.
Do I condone the lifestyles that others live when they contradict my personal beliefs? Absolutely not! But it’s not my place to belittle them, chastise them or make them feel less than human either! A harsh reality here for many of my fellow Christians – these men and women are people for whom Jesus died! They are part of the world that God is seeking to restore back to himself, just like you and I are!
It’s ok – you don’t have to agree with me. But I still love you. I still see you as someone for whom God sent his only Son. My task is not to condone a behavior or condemn a lifestyle. My task as a follower of Jesus is to come along side you and bring Jesus to you. That’s what someone did for me. That’s what Jesus did for the world. The bible says that while we were still caught up in our sins, Christ died for us. He didn’t wait until we were repentant. He didn’t hold off until our lifestyles matched his. He went to the cross and absorbed our differences and our flaws so that we might be forgiven and restored.
Just because I don’t follow the same tradition as you, doesn’t mean I’m better than you. Just because we believe different things doesn’t mean I don’t care for you. My friends in the LGBT community – while we may disagree, please know that I pray for you. I pray that you find healing from this pain. That you find rest, not in your deeds or words, but in the love of a savior who gave himself for you while you were still caught up in sins – just like he did for me. Our differences can be discussed another time, for now I pray for you. #lovewon
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