Overstatement

This morning I woke up with anger and despair in my heart. I thought to myself: Those bastards! Who wants to be part of such a cruel group of people? Don’t they know how far they have strayed from the teachings of Jesus? What place does judgmentalism and hatred have in our church? I was entertaining the idea of turning in my credentials and becoming a social worker.

Then, as I walked into the Convention Center and I heard the music of Mark Miller. He was leading the delegates in a rousing rendition of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” I wondered how Mark felt when he woke up – when the church that he loves decided that his relationships were invalid and unholy. I don’t know how he felt – but I do know that he got up, and that he led his church faithfully in worship, that he sang his songs, and did his thing – that he followed his God through the valley of darkness.

And I thought, if he can get up and do what he is called to do, so can I.

Editorial addition: I hope it is clear that I was trying to recount in this post my emotional response. I realize that people of faith disagree on this issue, and while I am hurt by the decision of the conference, I respect the challenge and struggle that delegates wrestle with when they conference together. It angers me. It saddens me. It disappoints me. But we are still in covenant together. Don’t worry – I’m not about to actually turn in my credentials. I love my job!