I'm bummed.....but I'm encouraged.

I'm bummed that Amendment One passed…..but I'm encouraged that close to 40% of voting North Carolinians tried to keep it from passing.
 
I'm bummed that discrimination has been enshrined into our state constitution…..but I'm encouraged that our calling to love all people as Jesus loves us isn't something that has to be voted on and approved by a majority.
 
I'm bummed that some well-meaning Christians supported this amendment…..but I'm encouraged that other well-meaning Christians, and people of other faiths, voted against it - and did so not in spite of their faith but because of it.
 
I'm bummed that the lives of lots of people who have nothing to do with gay marriage will be affected by this change to our state constitution…..but I'm encouraged that far more people than just a month ago are now aware of this and are prepared to stand in their defense.

I'm bummed that some people think I am in error for the way I voted…..but I'm encouraged that many like me are absolutely willing to err on the side of love.
 
I'm bummed that a particular segment of society has once again been vilified…..but I'm encouraged that more and more people are becoming aware - and vocal - about how wrong this really is.
 
I'm bummed that some Christians felt they had no choice but to vote for the amendment…..but I'm encouraged that some Christians realized they did have a choice, and used that choice to vote against.

I'm bummed that some people were confused about what a "FOR" and "AGAINST" vote actually meant…..but I'm encouraged that lots of folks took time to find out all the facts.
 
I'm bummed that some felt it important to enshrine their own interpretation of certain Biblical passages into a government constitution…..but I'm encouraged (and hopeful) that those same people will rally behind forthcoming Amendments Two, Three and Four, which will ban collecting interest for profit (Leviticus 25:36; Deuteronomy 23:19), eating shrimp (Leviticus 11:12), and football (Leviticus 11:7-8).
 
(okay, so that last one was totally a joke, albeit one to prove a point. Besides, we need a good laugh, right?)
 
I'm bummed that Amendment One passed.  There are many of us who are bummed. But even so, I'm encouraged.  Very encouraged.  Because no constitutional amendment will ever keep us from doing our best to follow Jesus' example - to love all people, stand beside all of God's children, equally and completely.

We're bummed, but we're encouraged. So this isn't over. We're just getting started.

Comments

[Chris]

Awesome read. Thanks.

[Sue D. Johnson]

Thank you so much for your inspiring words... life does go on and we can keep on loving try hard to not Judge. I love that you are a teacher and you seem so real and down to earth... a loving person.

[Melissa]

Steve,with enthusiasm I await Amendment2. All citizens shall mind their own business, in the event a citizen can not mind their own business, their very own personel business will be printed in every newspaper accross the nation and place on facebook for a vote to determine their consequence.....

[Betty Hale]

It's so interesting to me that the lectionary readings in the weeks around the Amendment voting are the Ethiopian euneuch, which changed a mind http://covnetpres.org/2011/01/interview-with-rev-dr-arlo-duba/ and the template for what's happening in Christianity today, Acts 10:44-48 -- "The circumcized believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 'Can anyone withhold the water for baptising these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?' " Turbulence. I receive it as another sign of hope.... like your reflections! Thank you again

[Steve Lindsley]

Again, as always feel free to express whatever opinion you like, as long as its thoughtful, contributes to the conversation, and respectful. Comments that do not meet these three things will be deleted. Thanks.

[iGrrrl]

"Amendments Two, Three and Four, which will ban collecting interest for profit (Leviticus 25:36; Deuteronomy 23:19), eating shrimp (Leviticus 11:12), and football (Leviticus 11:7-8)."

I would not undercut your point by calling it a joke. Don't forget the verses forbidding tattooing and piercing, how to stone your non-virgin daughter, and to hide menstruating women because they are unclean. Too many people have not read Leviticus, which spends about 100X more verses describing how to correctly sacrifice animals than forbidding homosexual behavior.

I'm glad you're hopeful, and I'm glad you're speaking out from a Christian perspective. It gives me a little hope, too.

[Darrell Swanger]

True! Leviticus does spend more time discussing other things besides homosexual behavior, but read Chapter 18:3-25. God tells Moses to speak to the children of Israel, and tell them I am the Lord your God. He then lists the "ordinances" that they are commanded to keep. Verse 22 says, Thou shall not lie with the male as one lies with a woman: for it is abomination. Verse 24 says "Ye shall not defile yourself in any of these things: for in all these the Nations are defiled which I will cast out before you. Verse 25: And the land is defiled: therefore I will visit the wickedness thereof upon it, and the land shall vomit out her inhabitants.

[Currie]

As the pastor of a church that I used to go to it is sad to see you misuse and misinterpret the word of God to fit into your worldly liberal views. Jesus accepts everyone, but not sin.

[Tony Hayworth]

I find no misinterpretation. It is interesting to note that the English word "homosexual" wasn't a word until the last part of the 19th century. Therefore, it is not found in the KJV. Another interpretation challenge is that our 21st century understanding of "homosexual" was non-existent in biblical times. For me our greatest challenge to have a conversation regarding our dislike of “sin” while being able to be heard as “I love you as a person.” When this happens more often than not people are pushed away from the church, which they conflate with God. I don’t recall Jesus pushing anyone away. When we are able to open our arms, figuratively speaking, with the love, grace, forgiveness, and absolute acceptance that Jesus did, literally on the cross, then perhaps we could make a case for discussing this topic.
If the number of references to homosexuality are compared to the other teachings (i.e. stewardship [about 50% of the gospels], evangelism—proclaiming the Good News, love God with all our being{that is worship God where He invites us—to His house}, love neighbor as yourself, etc.), we would never discuss this ever again.
How about gossip and slander, which from an OT perspective are more grievous sins than murder or adultery?! Bible scholars might deny that John 8 , the adulterous woman, is not authentic, but that is the Jesus who has received me into relationship: “neither do I condemn you…” When the church begins to love ALL with this same Spirit of Jesus, the Word will have really transformed the world. That Word is the Jesus in the Bible, in my heart, and the One who I will proclaim.