Finding Pride

Finding Pride 
By Pastor Aaron Robinson

The month of June is designated as Pride month for the LGBTQ+ community.  An annual anti-discrimination effort initiated by the Obama administration.  The LGBTQ community is one that has been systematically marginalized and shamed by the larger community and the church.   The meaning of LGBTQ is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer(questioning).  Pride month is about individuals celebrating who they are, unapologetically.  

As I thought about what to write for this month’s reflection, Pride stayed on my mind.  Too often the leadership of the church ignores this community but seek their time, talent, and resources.  We tell them there's something wrong with their way of life or the way they feel about themselves but ask them to give of themselves for the glory of the Kingdom. We want them to hide who they are, but we ask them to reveal their gifts.  Even in the church LGBTQ folks are often pushed to the margins, pushed aside by those who sit at the center.

I truly believe that the church could do a better job of loving all of God's children. The body of Christ can learn from the Christ that we serve, the one who died for ALL of us not SOME of us. God made each of us different, how do I know because we all have different fingerprints. We are uniquely and wonderfully made, and the reality is that we only know how God made us not everybody else. If we would judge less and love more the Kingdom of God would grow faster. If we would look at the heart of individuals and not their outer appearance, we would see the Jesus inside of them. Each of us should be a tool that helps others find their pride and love the way God made them.

Someone is saying ‘but the Bible says’, well the Bible says a lot and some of it has been misinterpreted.  Let's focus on what Jesus says.  He reminds us to love our neighbors as ourselves. He reminds us to love ALL of God's creation. He reminds us that he went to the cross for ALL of us.  Remember what the says the Lord, “I knew you before you were in your mother's womb. I know every hair on your head.”

Help someone find the Pride they need to keep keeping on.
Help someone find the Pride that will pull them out of the dark place of shame and hurt.
Help someone find the Pride that will teach them to love themselves and not hate who they are. Help someone to find the pride that God has poured inside of them.