Rethinking

I get things wrong – a lot.  Sometimes it’s what I say, more often what I don’t say and, of course, it can be the way that I say it. A friend recently challenged me about what I’ve written previously regarding the recent media stir over same-sex marriage.

I intended to remind Christian friends that our words and actions can be harmful and hurtful to gay friends. There are no prizes for working that one out, but ironically, perhaps I demonstrated my own point by accident, when I made the broad assumption that it is possible to be ‘anti-gay marriage’ without being ‘anti-gay’. Although still inclined to agree with what I said previously, I’ve got new grounds to question this assumption. Digging myself into a hole I may be, but one thing is clear; if gay friends don’t see a distinction between being ‘anti-gay marriage’ and ‘anti-gay’ then I need to be less quick to assume that there is one.

Whilst still thinking things through (and for the record, still haven’t signed the C4M petition), it is refreshing to be challenged so firmly by someone who sees things differently. I’m forced to engage with the feelings of my friends because that really matters, and skirting around ‘awkward’ subjects shouldn’t be a thing - especially for christians. This might mean difficult conversations, admitting that I don’t have it sussed and even saying sorry, but I’m thankful to an honest friend for reminding me just how little I know!




'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing'


1 Corinthians 13. 1 -3 (The Bible)