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S
o, you are probably asking yourself, "Who or what is an Elihu?". Well, I am. And you can be too.
Elihu was a young and powerful man of God who challenged Job and his friends. In Chapter 32:6-21 of the book of Job, Elihu says this:
So, without further ado, "Listen to me; I, too, will tell you what I know".
More often than not, it seems as though the Christian GLBT community waits for young men and women to go through an extremely destructive phase before reaching out. I have spoken with many of my peers and observed the leaders of the spiritual movement in our community: this seems to be the consensus. Young men and women, strong in the Lord, are having to balance between a Christian community which condemns them for being gay, and a gay community which condemns them for being a Christian. They are left with two very painful and destructive choices.
Most of my peers who were once Christian had become very quickly and heavily involved with the nightclubs, the drugs, and the negative self-seeking relationships. Finally, when they had lost all strength or ended up in rehab, they turned back to God. This is typically when the GLBT Christian community steps in.
So why doesn't the community step in sooner? Well, popular belief upon discussing this with my older brothers and sisters in Christ has led me to this. How does an older GLBT Christian walk into private Christian schools, colleges, and churches without immediately being labeled as a pervert or a tool of the devil? They can't really, I guess. But let me tell you who can....
Elihu!
There are only a handful of young Christians in the GLBT movement. If you are reading this you either are one, or probably know one. Are you challenging them or yourself to be an Elihu?!
We are the one's capable of walking into these schools and churches with the message of God's love for them. With the support of the church and after an awakening call from God I have stepped into the role of Elihu. I have gone back to the Christian college which had previously rejected me for being gay, and have made allies there who are willing to help. Students and professors who know that the message of God's love is not reaching the youth in these situations are coming to my aid. This is just one organization of many!
Don't be afraid because you are young. Elihu was wise because of the power of the Spirit. He challenged people many years older than him, and so can you. It may be difficult at first, but other young Christians will eventually see that the hate being cast against you is not a Christ-like message and then they will start listening. Once you have them listening, grab hold.
We can make a difference, we can make a change! We can make the Son shine through the rain. God can heal the suffering through our hands! (Jaci Velasquez)
So, I urge you, go out into the young conservative Christian organizations around you and show them that God is alive and living well in you!
Erik Stavlund is 21 and lives in Minneapolis, MN. He attends school at the University of Minnesota and directs the contemporary Christian music program at University Baptist Church (a welcoming and affirming congregation). He also leads GLBT youth Bible studies at a local cafe on Wednesday nights.
Erik will be featured in each issue of Whosoever, writing about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth. If you have questions for Erik or topics of interest you'd like to see him tackle send him e-mail.
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Children of Horizons : How Gay and Lesbian Teens Are Leading a New Way Out of the Closet Gilbert Herdt, Andrew Boxer Free Your Mind : The Book for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth--And Their Allies Ellen Bass, Kate Kaufman
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YOUTH lists Youth Resources at gaychristians.org
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