March 6, 2024 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John (2SoJ)
Haunted by Waters: Guest writer & storyteller
One of my absolute all-time favorite movies, directed by Robert Redford, is “A River Runs Through It”.
It is a story about a Presbyterian minister in Montana with two sons. One son most definitely takes a more conventional approach to life while the other is a bit of a rascal. The two men take undeniably different paths in life but remain held together by the bond of family unity and respect.
Sadly, at the end of the story, the renegade son is shot in a gambling dispute and dies. At the end of the film, the father is preaching. His sermon comes from Scripture and focuses on the often limitations of love. He says, “Oftentimes those we love are the most unwilling or unable to accept our love. We reach out, but what we offer is not accepted. And so, we find that the help we offer is unwanted – but we can love them all the same. We can love completely, even without complete understanding.”
Caught in the middle of the spiritual vacuum of “say nothing, do nothing” regarding homosexuality and related issues, is the repentant homosexual who has not only abandoned the sexual sin of homosexual practice but a whole network of support and identity as well. Surrendering unconditionally to the Lordship of Christ, they enter the Church (many for the first time in their lives) with nothing. God, having brought them to a place of repentance, feel very frightened, vulnerable, and very, very alone.
I freely admit that I remain perplexed and deeply troubled by those in the Church who are terrified, if not paralyzed by the gay rights movement, and want to see any further legitimization of homosexuality stopped dead in its tracks but remain hesitant and unwilling to offer ministry to those who desire to come out of the behavior. This makes absolutely no sense.
Today, more than ever, we need churches that will not sidestep truth or grace but offer crystal clear truth on a host of issues, including homosexuality, toward every person. Frankly, this is exactly what the Church was called to be from the beginning, and it is exactly what people are looking for today. It is a Church just like this that saved my life.
Over these past 38 years of my new life in Christ, I have shared numerous times the heart-wrenching fact that all those I once ran with are now gone. To this day, their names, faces, their laughs, haunt me. I clearly and vividly remember a phone call with my closest and dearest friend just before he passed away with AIDS. He remained in San Francisco long after God had transported me back to Bakersfield in 1985 when and where everything in my life changed.
The last thing he said to me over a phone conversation was, “Phillip, we don’t understand what has happened to you, but whatever it is, keep it up. You have found something.”
Indeed, I continue to be haunted by waters.
Many know and understand the importance and significance of reaching the unreached peoples of the world for Christ Jesus. What about the unreached homosexual population?
We, the Christian community, have a lot to learn about bringing Jesus to the gays and lesbians who hopefully will one day knock at the doors of our churches. How about, “If you struggle with homosexuality and feel trapped – there is hope! Come on into Church and investigate the roots and causes of your struggle with homosexuality. We will walk with you as you look past the surface, deep into your heart, and consider God’s will for your life.”
It is the clarity of the Holy Scriptures that should compel each and every faithful follower of Christ Jesus to be a light where there is darkness, rather than hiding our witness from those who need it.
Today, no one, with integrity, can continue to condemn a behavior or a group of people while doing so very, very little to see things improve.
Once again, I find myself wondering…”Do you hear the waters?”
By Pastor Phillip Lee, Executive Director, His Way Out Ministries
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Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com
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