Who Are You, Huh?
The other day, I was walking back from the YMCA locker room. I was passing this guy whom I've seen before on Augusta University campus back during my study in undergrad. I recall seeing him near the cafeteria as well as the gym that was stationed upstairs in the student activity center. As a heterosexual male, it bothered me at times when I would see him from afar, seemingly looking at me. Seeing him a few years later, I realized that I was still bothered by an assumption that he was homosexual. I never knew for sure, but his mannerism (based off what society deems as homosexual tendencies ) portrayed him as such a person. Upon us crossing paths, he waved, by which I gave a half "hey, how ya doing?" while simultaneously leaning away from him. I later thought it was quite discourteous, for behind him was a young lady whom I knew that I didn't have a problem with sharing personal space upon greeting.
Many of us men, believe it or not, are quite homophobic. We feel that it's a disease one catches via contact with someone who likes the same sex , even through simple conversation. It becomes a stain that we don't want apart of our metaphoric "white clothing", as if what we're doing ourselves is perfection in comparison. This morning, I saw a Facebook clip of a pastor calling out homosexuals in the church. He referred to them as "sissies" and men with purses, walking like women. He condemned pastors for allowing homosexual men to sing in choirs and participate in church programs. I thought to myself, "if he's going to call out homosexuals, then pinpoint the rapists, the murderers who are walking around free, the abusers, the drug addicts, the pornographers, the cheating spouses, everyone, basically. I thought it was totally degrading, yet I did shy away from possibly getting to know a really cool person. How contradicting!
So many of us are walking sin. Literally. We hide our faults with smiles, laughter, and materialistic armor, trying to protect our integrity. No, I don't believe in homosexuality. It is a sin just like anything and everything else we do as human beings. We will never be rid of that instinct until we completely surrender to God, for with the renewing of our minds, we can be transformed (Romans 12:2). Ridding us of opportunities to glorify God, despite our flaws, is not for what Jesus stood. Matter of fact, He did more than stand, He hung for us. He bled for us. He knew that we needed to get back right with our Father, so He became a human bridge between Him and us.
This ordeal in Orlando was horrific. Despite that it was a notorious gay club, 49 children are dead. 49 people didn't return home that night, which means 49 families have a void that cannot be replaced. This stemmed from hate and disagreement with diversity. How closed minded have we become? What excludes us from harm? We are no different t than those who died or any criminal minded individual with a personal vendetta against a specific group of people. Humans. Living spirits with distinctive souls. I've seen that gentleman so many times, yet I don't know his name nor his background. Funny how Jesus died to get us close to God, yet the gaps between each other as men and women have widened beyond understanding. Let's shorten the distance through the simple practice of love.
Men, God knows your heart and He's aware that you are solely committed to your wives and girlfriends. You will come across other men who may find you attractive and don't mind letting you know. It's going to happen. The only thing we can do is progress as the men of God He made us to be. Show His mercy and grace, for we surely need it ourselves. Let's give what we want to receive. No person deserves to be disregarded. If one does, we all do.
Many of us men, believe it or not, are quite homophobic. We feel that it's a disease one catches via contact with someone who likes the same sex , even through simple conversation. It becomes a stain that we don't want apart of our metaphoric "white clothing", as if what we're doing ourselves is perfection in comparison. This morning, I saw a Facebook clip of a pastor calling out homosexuals in the church. He referred to them as "sissies" and men with purses, walking like women. He condemned pastors for allowing homosexual men to sing in choirs and participate in church programs. I thought to myself, "if he's going to call out homosexuals, then pinpoint the rapists, the murderers who are walking around free, the abusers, the drug addicts, the pornographers, the cheating spouses, everyone, basically. I thought it was totally degrading, yet I did shy away from possibly getting to know a really cool person. How contradicting!
So many of us are walking sin. Literally. We hide our faults with smiles, laughter, and materialistic armor, trying to protect our integrity. No, I don't believe in homosexuality. It is a sin just like anything and everything else we do as human beings. We will never be rid of that instinct until we completely surrender to God, for with the renewing of our minds, we can be transformed (Romans 12:2). Ridding us of opportunities to glorify God, despite our flaws, is not for what Jesus stood. Matter of fact, He did more than stand, He hung for us. He bled for us. He knew that we needed to get back right with our Father, so He became a human bridge between Him and us.
This ordeal in Orlando was horrific. Despite that it was a notorious gay club, 49 children are dead. 49 people didn't return home that night, which means 49 families have a void that cannot be replaced. This stemmed from hate and disagreement with diversity. How closed minded have we become? What excludes us from harm? We are no different t than those who died or any criminal minded individual with a personal vendetta against a specific group of people. Humans. Living spirits with distinctive souls. I've seen that gentleman so many times, yet I don't know his name nor his background. Funny how Jesus died to get us close to God, yet the gaps between each other as men and women have widened beyond understanding. Let's shorten the distance through the simple practice of love.
Men, God knows your heart and He's aware that you are solely committed to your wives and girlfriends. You will come across other men who may find you attractive and don't mind letting you know. It's going to happen. The only thing we can do is progress as the men of God He made us to be. Show His mercy and grace, for we surely need it ourselves. Let's give what we want to receive. No person deserves to be disregarded. If one does, we all do.
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