How many of us have real, living, breathing, actual FRIENDS who have had an abortion? Who have considered abortion seriously? Who are CURRENTLY considering abortion?
How many of us have heard these same friends tell their stories? Of fear? Grief? Pressure? Conviction? Struggle? Abandonment? Brokenness? Healing? Hope?
How many of us have listened well to these friends' stories? In such a way that we'd consider what we might have to learn from them, how their experiences might help inform our opinions about policies and politics? In a way that we'd consider how we can be a better friend and support to them?
--
How many of us have real, living, breathing actual FRIENDS who are gay or lesbian or bi-sexual? Who are married to someone of the same gender? Who have struggled with a gay or lesbian lifestyle? Who are questioning their gender or sexual identity?
How may of us have heard these same friends tell their stories? Of confusion? Of abuse? Of freedom? Of love? Of faith? Of brokenness? Struggle? Loss? Of healing or hope?
How many of us have listened well to these friends' stories? In such a way that we'd consider what we might have to learn from them, how their experiences might help inform our opinions about policies and politics? In a way that we'd consider how we can be a better friend and support to them?
--
Many in The Church (myself included) have extremely strong opinions about abortion and homosexuality, among several other things. We have incredibly strong opinions about the policies and politics that surround these topics. Yet, sadly, many of us in aren't seeking out, investing in, supporting, learning from or doing life with men and women who find themselves smack-dab-in-the-middle of these debates.
I'm in favor of reading the bible, listening to the Truth the Spirit may be speaking to your heart, considering what your pastor or other trusted leaders might have to say... I just know my heart and my views on these hot-button issues have been drastically changed when I've sat face-to-face, across the table and talked with the people we've been talking a lot about in all of our debates.
It seems like many of us are focused on the policies, rather than the people.
I feel like that's really dangerous.
How many of us have heard these same friends tell their stories? Of fear? Grief? Pressure? Conviction? Struggle? Abandonment? Brokenness? Healing? Hope?
How many of us have listened well to these friends' stories? In such a way that we'd consider what we might have to learn from them, how their experiences might help inform our opinions about policies and politics? In a way that we'd consider how we can be a better friend and support to them?
--
How many of us have real, living, breathing actual FRIENDS who are gay or lesbian or bi-sexual? Who are married to someone of the same gender? Who have struggled with a gay or lesbian lifestyle? Who are questioning their gender or sexual identity?
How may of us have heard these same friends tell their stories? Of confusion? Of abuse? Of freedom? Of love? Of faith? Of brokenness? Struggle? Loss? Of healing or hope?
How many of us have listened well to these friends' stories? In such a way that we'd consider what we might have to learn from them, how their experiences might help inform our opinions about policies and politics? In a way that we'd consider how we can be a better friend and support to them?
--
Many in The Church (myself included) have extremely strong opinions about abortion and homosexuality, among several other things. We have incredibly strong opinions about the policies and politics that surround these topics. Yet, sadly, many of us in aren't seeking out, investing in, supporting, learning from or doing life with men and women who find themselves smack-dab-in-the-middle of these debates.
I'm in favor of reading the bible, listening to the Truth the Spirit may be speaking to your heart, considering what your pastor or other trusted leaders might have to say... I just know my heart and my views on these hot-button issues have been drastically changed when I've sat face-to-face, across the table and talked with the people we've been talking a lot about in all of our debates.
It seems like many of us are focused on the policies, rather than the people.
I feel like that's really dangerous.
