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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Confused (08/16/07)
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Topic: Confused
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TITLE: Taking a Stand
08/16/07

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They assumed that I am liberal, after all I work in the human service field and I live in Massachusetts. The truth is, I voted for Busch. Not because I agreed with his politics more because I admired his couragous stand on abortion.
These are my friends. I've known Claudia for over fifteen years. When did things change this much. We never kept secrets from each other. The topic is gay marriage. There is a resounding pro stance. I don't know what to say. Do I speak the truth and witness for Christ? Or do I take a "live and let live attitude" and sit on the sidelines. Everyone is assuming that we are on the same page. I choose to be quiet. To say nothing.
I have friends who are gay and in long term relationships. Well, Maybe they aren't exactly friends but more like work acquaintances. We have discussed work and current events but our private lives never came up. I always looked at people who are gay the same as an alcoholic . I believe participating in the sin keeps us seperate from God and abstinence is the only cure. "Love the sinner, hate the sin".
The confusion does not lie in my beliefs. The confusion lies in living in this world with the beliefs that I have. To love with out being judgemental. People know that I am Christian but they think that I am one of those generic watered down Christians. They do not know that I belive that Jesus is the son of God and that I believe that God understands human suffering through the experience of Jesus Christ. They do not know because I do not tell them. I have told some. People who are in pain are more open and receptive, but when I say Jesus's name out loud, I feel vulnerable and afraid.
It is confusing living in the world today with Christian beliefs. So what do I do? I stand firm in my beliefs and I trust and rely on God. I stay connected and available to him. I act as a channel for him. I don't need to know the big picture, I don't have to have all the answers. I just need to stay in the moment and realize that God loves us all and considers us all in his work.
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This article has been read 1013 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
08/23/07
I understand your difficulty--there are times when I don't fit into the expected Christian "box," too, and it's hard to know exactly the right way to take a stand.

A quick fix for your formatting problem--use the "preview" button before you hit the "submit" button, and you can see if anything snuck in there that you didn't intend, and fix it before you "submit."
Maridee Sellarole
08/24/07
I loved the positive ending to the litany of confusion we all feel at times.
Jacquelyn Horne
08/24/07
Prayer can help us to not feel so vulnerable and afraid. The world doesn't mind telling me how they feel, and I don't mind telling them how I feel. Not so much pointing out their sin as pointing them to Jesus Christ. Justifying sin doesn't make it any less sin, but pointing it out to someone who is not listening is a waste of time. You have the makings of a wonderful devotional here. Add to it.
Dee Yoder
08/24/07
You wrote a good devotional and I enjoyed reading it! You wrote with honesty and truth about something that we all have to work on in our daily walk.
Carolyn Baney
08/24/07
You have given voice to the wrestlings of many devoted Christians. In fact, my friend and I were just discussing this topic...persecution for the Words sake. Sometimes it seems the solitude of staring at a prison wall is prefable to preaching in your hometwon...the looks, quips, and unexpressed thoughts of our "so-called" friends and even worse, our loved ones. Just remember you are in good company.
Thanks for the story! Although, I think it better suits the present topic of "fearful". A word of advice...intimidation is a long standing tactic of the devil, but it's an illusion.