There is much to capture our attention around the world right now. The Boston bombings are still being investigated, while Benghazi remains uninvestigated. Syria has crossed the “red line” by using chemical weapons against rebel forces. Guantanamo Bay detainees have mounted a hunger strike. Tension between Israel and neighboring states continues to grow.
Despite all that and more, the big news of the week is the extreme courage of Jason Collins, NBA center with the Washington Wizards who “came out” and confessed his homosexuality. So profound is this act of courage that it prompted a congratulatory call from the president of the United States. The news coverage of the Collins announcement has been wall to wall.
I’ve long marveled at the extent to which the homosexual community finds their primary identity in their sexuality. This the case to such an extent that it has become a hyphenated identity in much the same way many groups in the United States identify their citizenship by tying it with their race or ethnicity. I’m not an American. I’m a Latino-American, an Aftican-American, an Italian-American.
I reject the purloining of the term “gay” by the homosexual community, but it is this term that has become the identity of this hyphenated community. So for our purposes here, I set aside my objection. The identity looks something like this: I’m a gay-musician, a gay-newscaster, a gay-golfer, a gay-tennis player, a gay-parent, etc. The most important identifying characteristic of the homosexual community is their homosexuality. It is presented first and foremost. It is the banner reality from which all other aspects of their personhood flows.
My question for the follower after Christ is, “What’s your light?” What’s your identifying banner? What is first and foremost? If someone gets to learn one thing, and one thing only about you, what is it?
According to Jesus,
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Paul told the church at Rome and the church at Philippi that we glory in Christ rather than in anything about ourselves. He told the church at Corinth that whatever we do, do it all to the glory of God. Rather than drawing attention to ourselves, all aspects of our lives are to point to Jesus Christ in a way that glorifies him, and him alone.
“Not to us O Lord, but to your name give glory because of your lovingkindness, because of your truth,” Psalm 115:1
Victoriously in Christ!
– damon
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