The ‘right’ way
Have you ever had a season in your life that was excruciatingly hard?
What got you through it?
If you are still in one of those seasons, I hope that this column gives you the courage to seek God’s promises for your life daily. He will direct your steps.
In the spring of 2005, I had a miraculous encounter with God; he changed the course of my life through his extravagant love and joy. I had been living in a way that appeared and felt right, but in the end it led to death (Prov. 14:12). My vision had been a worldly perspective which was entrenched in sensuality of every kind, and it had felt good. My gay identity had been one of my greatest securities and treasures here on earth and I had held on to it for all its worth. Then God gave me a new revelation of how to live my life through his eternal plan, and I was invited to lay down everything that I had held as more valuable than God. My mom, who had been praying for me, sent me a small yearly devotional book right after my encounter with God. She marked specific devotions that she felt would encourage me. I recently pulled that book out to go through it again, and I came across a sticky note I had added. It said: “I read this after looking for rental apartments in Winnipeg. Not knowing where to live and having no job is a worrisome thought.” That day’s devotional focused on trusting the Lord and acknowledging him, and on God’s promise to direct my steps.
Through the eyes of Christ
The summer of 2005 was by far the most challenging season that I have walked through. I have experienced other times when things were difficult and painful, but this season had a twist. It was the first time in my life when everything was stripped bare; the only source of security was my faith in God alone. And even that was shaky. Think of some things that might bring you security. A promise of retirement funds, pensions, real estate, family, spouse, children, a good job, your health. What about your view of culture, theology and sexuality? Now imagine life with all of your security blankets and assumptions taken away. What are you left with? Who are you and who is God? The sticky note that I had written to myself reminded me again of that hard season, and the riches that I received as I followed God. It was so hard but so good at the same time. God used it to build a new foundation in my life, one based on eternal perspectives.
In that season, I cried out to God to meet with me as I read his word and sought wise counsel. It wasn’t advice that appeased my itchy ears; rather, it was counter-cultural. It was steeped in love and grace and a truth that began to break the false illusions of my earthly knowledge. I began to see life through the eyes of Christ. It was a season that I will always hold as pivotal in my spiritual life, and one for which I am deeply grateful. It also helps remind me that when I face troubles, trials and new seasons to which I might find myself seeking my own ways of doing things, that I can turn and again seek the wisdom and knowledge of God.
So where do you find yourself this season?
What is God up to in your life?
Do you have an eternal perspective on life? Or do the cares of the world weigh heavily upon your shoulders? My prayer for you all this summer is that you find the riches of God’s eternal perspective, which outweigh, outshine and outlast everything here on earth.
