On getting better

Hebrews 10:32-39

            While I have been truly blessed in coming out, even at the age of 50, I am sadly aware of the pain and suffering of so many both past and present.  I cannot forget myself the anguish and the anxiety of when I began to realize I was gay. I can empathise with those that consider that suicide might be an answer, clearly it is not. For me, it seemed no matter what course of action I took, the potential for disaster loomed. Thank God for good therapists , good friends and well, God. But for many youths and adults alike, not only coming out has been a challenge but also daily life itself. It is with this in mind that I think of today's passage and yesterdays reading about how mistreated, maligned and marginalized the gay community has been.  Many still seek and see fit to lie, threaten and torment decent faithful people simply because they are gay and seek not to be alone. They forget one of the basic lessons of Genesis that is not good for man to be alone.

              Life for gay people has almost always been difficult it seems. Once it is defined and it is known that we are a minority, we seem easy pickings for every kind of socially orchestrated evil and threat. Those in power often feel they need a scapegoat and the gay community fits the bill, marginalized, small and misunderstood. 

             This only can last so long before we stand up, rise up and say NO MORE! We are achieving great strides but we must remember and we must support those who are still struggling, trying to cope in bad situations and find it hard after years of abuse to realize they are loved and have great worth.

             While I have been truly blessed, I am painfully aware of those that struggle. I am thrilled beyond measure at such good works of It Gets Better ( www.itgetsbetter.org ) and all they do. Their work seems to tie in so well to this passage for so many in our community. We need to know that however difficult it is or has been, it does get better.  The person of your dreams, the self respect and love you seek are all there or around the corner when you least expect it. Reach out in trust and love. Seek out in trust and love people, inclusive faith communities and individuals who are more than willing to help carry your burdens. 

         It does in fact get better even it if life seems tenuous and troubled now.  Even in the darkest times, God is with you and loves you more than you can ever imagine - just as you are.

But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet
‘in a very little while,
   the one who is coming will come and will not delay;
but my righteous one will live by faith.
   My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.’
But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.