This past week I spoke at a public City Council meeting to share concerns about a resolution positioned as making the city “safe, welcoming and inclusive,” but which would elevate one class over all others.
We were told it was about “kindness” and that the wording covered “everyone.” However, one of the authors of the resolution said while it did include “everyone” per their biological or perceived gender, it DIDN’T include anyone she considered an “extremist.” Her definition was clear after she called conservative candidates with different political ideologies than herself “Nazi’s, fascists and extremists.” Her definition of “inclusive,” was “exclusive” to those who believed different than she. Seventeen people, including my husband and I, showed up to speak against the discrimination in the resolution. Those for it flooded the room filling the seats and lining the walls. They were hurting and angry and lashed out at us.
I was called to speak first. I started by affirming that we all want a safe and welcoming city. I didn’t speak against anyone, but exposed misinformation or lies presented as the basis for the resolution. (Which were many.) I was jeered at, mocked and told to sit down. “You’re just a ‘Karen,’” someone yelled. One of the city councilors made faces at me during my talk. No one told them to stop until AFTER I finished and seated. Even then it continued, but on a much lighter basis toward those of us speaking against it.
Let it not be lost on the reader that the resolution was about “kindness” and the group that said they were afraid and harassed were the harassers. The five city councilors who said they would vote against the resolution caved and unanimously voted for it. The Church was no where to be found. They didn’t show up or stand up.
I will be honest, I was frustrated after the vote. Hundreds had been notified. 17 showed up. It wasn’t enough.
However, it was an opportunity to see a large group of people who are crying out for help. Like the hippies of the sixties, they are searching for answers and identity. They are frustrated, fearful, angry, suicidal and sometimes violent. They expect to be rejected and so reject first. And let’s be honest, the Church does often reject them. We need to learn how to love the sinner, but reject the sin. Jesus knew how to do that well. He loved first.
The question I now ponder is, “Are we loving well?” What will be our response in situations where we are the ones mocked, belittled, or even attacked by this group, as happened in the Oklahoma State Capital just the day before? Will we still love? Will we lay down our “rights” rather than lash out? Will we still pray? Or will we respond in kind?
For me, I had the opportunity this week to “share in the sufferings of Christ.” They laughed, mocked and attacked my name. But I think how the name Jesus is defamed daily and realize I only got a small taste of what is His norm. As we pray this week, let us pray for the LGBTQ and all who are hurting, angry, confused, and lacking identity. May we be ready with our response to love even when attacked—because I assure you it is coming.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation
Father, we rejoice that we are able to share in the sufferings of Christ so that Your glory may be revealed. Give us strength and prepare us Lord that if we are insulted for the name of Christ, that we will still love well. That we will follow the example of Jesus who loved sinners to the extent they wanted to walk away from sin. May we not be legalistic and shove the Bible down their throats, but show what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves. As we see in the Jesus Revolution movie how one man opened his church to those who were hungry for Jesus—but looked different—may we be willing to open our churches and our hearts. Revival is coming, and those who look and act different will be coming as well. Are we ready? Lord prepare our hearts.
We ask that You would heal their hearts. They are broken, hurting, angry and feel rejected. They don’t know who they are. We pray that they would have an encounter with You whether through people, through dreams in the night, through the Bible. May they find You. May the confusion of who they are be erased in an instant when they encounter The Creator. We pray that the eyes of their heart may be enlightened in order that they may know the hope to which You have called them.
Your light has come into the world. We know that people have loved darkness instead of light…because everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. We continue to pray for revival that will shine Your Light and draw all men to You.
Show us Lord how to love like You love. Forgive us for complacency that we don’t show up. That we don’t stand for righteousness. That we close our eyes and hope someone else will do it. Forgive us Lord for being too busy going to church that we don’t reach the world. Show us how to walk this road and to be lights shining in a dark place. That we may let our light so shine before men that they may see the good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Help us to be ready so that You are glorified.
1 Peter 4:12-14, Mark 12:30-31, Ps 10:17, Eph 1:18, John 3:19-20, John 12:32, Matt 5:16