Johnny

Johnny was a good kid. He usually did his chores, homework, and took good care of his mom and sister. His dad left when he was little and then his mom got remarried to this complete $-hole who beat her. Johnny watched and vowed that he would never be like this. But because Johnny is human he still longed for a father's approval. Unaware that this is what he was really seeking, his interaction with guys at school began to change. As his desire for male approval grew, he began to go through puberty and his brain, while attracted to girls was set on his desperate need for a father's loving touch. He began to feel differently towards boys than seemed normal and one day realized that he wanted to give affection to and to receive affection from one boy in particular that he felt drawn to... he didn't understand why he felt this way, but he definitely did.

Unfortunately though, Johnny has a major conflict. He was taught by his mom and his pastor that these feelings are sinful and that should he pursue them he may even go to hell... could God even love him? How could Jesus love someone who was so backward? But the world called out to Johnny and warmly drew him into its embrace. He was taught in school that this is natural for some people and that some people are simply born "different". Now it was ok, though he could never tell his mom or his church friends about it.

Johnny has now decided that he is homosexual. He is responsible for his own choices and actions based upon those choices. Johnny is also the victim of a very unfortunate set of circumstances. Not every homosexual person is like him, but many are. Is Johnny to blame for his chosen lifestyle? Will God dole out black and white judgment on Johnny for being "gay"? The world tells Johnny that he is accepted and normal... and yet at the same time tells him he is weird and backwards. The church tells Johnny that he is a sinner and has to change who he is before he can be one of them.

This is not a story of any one person in particular. It represents people that I know... some who I am related to and some who I love dearly as friends.

God is love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

I do not present an answer... merely a problem. I weep for Johnny. I have cried and prayed for Johnny for years. I weep because what Johnny does will only hurt him and take him further from his true Father... the Father God. If Johnny could truly experience the Father's loving, healing touch he would be made whole once again. I weep because those who claim to know the Father's love have shut Johnny out. Instead of loving him and praying for him, crying out for the Father to show Johnny His love and His approval, they give Johnny an ultimatum and make him unwelcome.

The world has changed. It is no longer the time of Christendom or even post-christendom. It is a place where what is right is often scoffed at and what is wrong is revered. Where that which was once unacceptable is now proclaimed as good and all are virtually commanded through social moray to accept it.

It is time for a new kind of follower of Christ to step forward. The kind of person dedicated not to themselves or even to others like them, but the kind of person dedicated to loving ALL around them. The kind of person who sees past the outside and into the heart.

When o Church will you open your eyes and see the world through your Father's eyes?