Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.…”
One of the biggest issues of our day is same sex attraction. It’s been so prevalent a topic and so divisive, even within the Body of Christ. (That alone speaks loudly.) What I haven’t known is how to position my heart and how to relate to and respond to a world confused and divided on this matter.
I have a very clear theology as to why this happens, what the source is, how it can be there pre-birth and how to be set free- all that line up with scripture. But what I haven’t known is how to behave as a Christian toward those whose beliefs differ from mine and toward those who struggle (or refuse to struggle) in this area.
So tonight I simply asked the Lord. And He gave me a lecture. I had to write it down. Here goes-
“Does it make Me less when My creation fails to honor Me? Misrepresents me? Perverts My instruction? No. I Am. No less. (Selah) Do not feel compelled to defend My honor. Care more about the destruction of the souls of those I love at the hands of the enemy of their freedom. Love with My truth. Do not compromise. Love through Me. My ways are not your ways.”
Well, ok. And this is the way the Lord speaks to me- sort of in parables that require interpretation. Parts of it are abundantly clear to me at the time and parts are not. What was abundantly clear was this- I don’t have to worry about God being any less if people speak badly of Him. Let me tell ya, if someone tells me my children said this or didn’t say that or that they can’t stand them, this momma is up in arms. I’m ready to defend to the end. Can you relate?
I never realized this though- I find myself doing the same regarding God! I want to stand up against those who are calling Him names and lying about Him, about what He’s taught us. Ha. Like He needs me. God forgive me. You need no defense. You are no less because of what any one of us thinks. You lose nothing. You are God and You alone.
So what instead? He’s telling me to seek His heart, to have His heart toward the situation. This means I have to let my own heart break for those He loves who are caught in a trap, any trap. I felt His heart and it is truly heartbreaking. There’s peace, not confusion, but sadness and acceptance that things are the way they are. He’s not in a panic or feeling hopeless. He’s saddened by those who have done Him wrong. He knows their choices will open the door wide for pain, either on this planet or after death, and that brings grief.
There’s no doubt in my mind why the two key issues of our day are homosexuality and abortion. Both speak directly to the heart of His creation and they are forever tied together as one plan, one destructive plan to get at the very core of God’s heart. If satan can injure God’s design for a family, damage the normal creation of children, and kill children before they are even born, then he has reached the pinnacle of pain he can inflict upon God. Satan is trying to harm God and simply uses us to do that. Procreation is foundational to God’s creation and desire for our kind to continue so that He can be in relationship with us.
My heart needs to be broken for those who are caught up in this web of lies and feel there is no way out. If there were no way out, the only reasonable response would be compassion. The lie is that there is no freedom. Jesus IS freedom and He showed us how to achieve that freedom but the church has failed to obey His command. If we would only care for those whose feet are caught in this well camouflaged trap in a way that brought freedom, these lies would be revealed as such.
I’ve been sitting by, more concerned about defending God than I am doing what He told me to do- to set the captives free, to pray for them, to stand with truth, in love. God forgive me and show me your ways.
He said “the destruction of their souls.” Wow. When He said that to me, I felt this crushing sense of loss and hidden darkness, a deep and well hidden void that is silent yet pervasive. I felt compassion, His heart. I knew that the degree to which there is noise (and there is a LOT of noise out there), there is equal silence in the darkness, a last stand of sorts.
Oh dear God, let there be freedom where everyone has given up hope- even denied it’s need. Bring light into darkness, freedom where there is bondage, love where there is hate, and healing where there is wounding. Bring Your truth.
I still am unclear as to how exactly to act and react but I know now the foundation on which to build the answers. Thank you, Jesus.
Take away: Seek God’s heart for others before defending Him to them.
Prayer: Dear God of the Universe, You said “I Am” and I believe you. Your ways are not my ways. Please convert my heart, soul, mind, spirit to line up with You. Lead me to the places where You want me to be. Give me the words You want me to speak. Let me see life through Your lens. Most of all, help me to know You. Amen.
The Haven 