I knew it was close. I knew it was this week, but I had actually forgotten the date, which isn't a bad thing. Then Facebook reminded me. Thanks Facebook! Of course, I didn't post anything THAT personal on Facebook, but I did see something that my son posted the Sunday after returning from a church mission trip.
"It's okay to get out of your comfort zone to do something for God. He got out of His to do something for us."
Had I known the extent of just how far out of my comfort zone I would be the next day, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made that statement, but then again, that statement wasn't from me. It was from God. And it was for me. I've definitely had to get out of my comfort zone, but I can't say that in this aspect that it's always been for God. However, I can say that this overall experience has brought me closer to God and has made me put more faith in God than ever before. I've had to make a public stand on what I considered a private issue. I've had to take a look at my stance on the issue of homosexuality. Before my son's admission, I must admit that I found the subject disgusting and completely asinine. I had very little tolerance for the person. Now I see it somewhat differently as it hits a lot closer to home. While I still have no tolerance for sin, which I believe God agrees with, I now see the person rather than the sin itself. Now when I see or hear of a person caught in this trap of sin, I pray for them, and my heart breaks for their family. My perspective has changed. I believe that's what God wants for us all to do when we look at a sinner, or in the mirror. Let's change our perspective. Let's look at the sinner differently. Let's pray for them rather condem them. Let's offer help to them. Should we be tolerant of and condone sin? Certainly not! God doesn't compromise on the issue of sin or its consequences, and neither should we. Let's look at our sin differently. After all, God doesn't categorize sin. He says that "all have sinned and fallen short" (Romans 3:23) and He doesn't excuse or condone any particular sin there. Whatever our ”pet" sin is, it's just as serious to God as homosexuality. We all need to repent, or turn away, from something. It just may not be as obvious. I'm glad God doesn't make us wear a T-shirt with our sins listed until we repent! Although if He did, some of us would be more aware when we committed them and perhaps stop before taking that sinful action.
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 NLT