I used to not get it either. When I came to Christ I embraced a conservative community that shored up the convictions that I brought with. It was spending time with Jesus that led me to understand that this type of Christianity was toxic and mean spirited, in spite of all the loving people I had befriended there. Thank God I only spent a few years with them.

Why has this issue become such a litmus test for reactionary Christians? With the current economic crisis why aren’t they concerned about other OT injunctions like that against usery?

Kelli–> That kind of reminder that came from your friend can be jarring, can’t it? It makes me ‘fess up and really be honest about myself, my motives and commitments. Am I only committed because it doesn’t all me personally? If so, what other places of injustice have touched on the lives of others that I never even noticed? I want to learn from this.

Lindsey –> Thanks for your comments. I hope they’re true. Actually, I have no choice but to believe they are, that one person at a time, practicing grace and extending love, can build the bridge to someone on the other side. Thanks for being a bridge builder yourself!

Steph–>Oh, I’ve learned that the hard way. I bet others here have too. It’s just finding a balance between keeping informed while not getting sucked up into the chaos. If I hope to keep any sense of calm or hope it has to be in grace and so I need to spend intentional time there.

Julie –> People all grieve differently and for different lengths of time. We’ve been through something incredibly huge (and that continues) and we’re all going to move through it as we can, and of course, just when we think we have ourselves all together a new wave of grief or rage will move in. I continue to be angry Julie but at least for today I can hold that with compassion and returning back to grace over and over again is my only chance to feel the anger but not react from that place. I can’t promise tomorrow that I won’t want to smack someone upside the head but hopefully if that feeling comes, I’ll be alone and out of everyone’s reach when it happens. You aren’t alone in what you’re feeling Julie. Not by a long shot.

“For every minute you spend in keeping up on the news related to Prop 8, spend an equal amount of time centering your heart on grace. Go to a spiritual practice that feeds your soul. Write or speak a prayer. Sing a hymn. Listen to music. Light a candle and as you sit quietly focus your thoughts on grace, grace, grace.”

Very sound advice.

Thank you.

I know it, because it happened to me. Not because of you, specifically, but with gay people being bold enough to let I (who was then the enemy) witness their lives, their joy and heartbreak.

Faith can move MOUNTAINS. It can change the face of our political landscape, too.

I needed that reminder almost as much as I needed yours. That it is God’s grace that sustains us. Thank you for this thought provoking post.