...we too believe, and so we speak.

2 Corinthians 4:13

I have been told by more than one critic that I have no right to speak about God. I've been told that I'm not worthy to speak about God. I've been told that since I will not renounce my "sin" and seek to "change" my sexual orientation, I, therefore, am unable to testify to God's wonderful power in my life and in the world.

Paul saw it differently. "We too believe, and so we speak." We, as gay and lesbian Christians, believe. We believe in a God who created us, just as we are. We believe in a God who has saved us by grace, as a gift, through no merit on our part. We believe in Jesus, who came to set us free from the bondage of sin and suffering. We believe our lives are changed by the wonder-working power of God.

"We too believe, and so we speak."

We speak in the churches, where we have been rejected. We speak in the bars, where gays and lesbians drown their sorrows in drink, drugs and meaningless pleasures because of repeated rejection from friends, family, and the church. We speak in the press, where the idea of a gay Christian can bring publicity, and maybe a shred of hope to those who hear or see the story. We speak in our homes, where our families may have rejected us. We speak in our hearts, where the grip of homophobia keeps many of us in our closets, afraid to come out and speak our convictions out loud.

"We too believe, and so we speak."

Raise your voices and speak, my believing brothers and sisters. We are empowered with a voice, and a story to tell. Never tire of telling it. Never be threatened into silence. Never be shouted down by bigots and those who fail to understand that we too are believers.

By our speaking, Paul says grace will be extended to more people and it will "increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day." [2 Corinthians 4:15-16]

Speak, gay and lesbian believers, and find yourself renewed every day.

Blessings,
Candace