"Some people look on the outside, but God looks on the heart."

Good Looks On The Heart, by Philip Hoyle

This was the theme of Vacation Bible School at my church this past week. It struck me as the heart of what gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Christians struggle with on a daily basis. People are always quick to judge our spiritual walk by what they see on the outside .. our sexual orientation. Just because we profess to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, in their minds it must automatically negate any profession of faith in Christ. People judge us by what they see on the outside.

The words to this song spoke to my heart this week after seeing the ads put out by conservative Christian organizations and "ex-gay" ministries telling the world gays and lesbians can "change" and become heterosexual. They are very concerned with our outward appearance. They want us to appear "normal" .. and until we do, we can give up on being Christian.

The good news? God is not concerned with our outward appearance. God looks on the heart. God knows our every thought, our every word, our every deed. We are not Christians by our appearance .. gay, straight, black, white, yellow or red, we are all the same to God. What matters is what is in our hearts. God knows the true Christian from the false Christian.

Don't let anyone tell you that your outward appearance must change for you to be acceptable to God. Your sexual orientation does not need "healing" or "changing." If anything needs to change, it's your heart. Come to God with an open heart, ready to be filled with God's wonderful love, and you will find all the change you need.

Blessings,
Candace