LGBT lives matter, and so do all the others, seems rather logical, but in today’s politically charge world, it seems to lessen the power of each movement. One of the things I do is, I am currently the President and Board Chair of North Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity. This week we had our board meeting and I have been trying to have some type of devotional as part of the opening to the meeting. So, when I sat down to figure out what to bring this month. This is what I ended up writing, and then shared with the board and staff.
This has been a tough week. With the largest mass shooting on recorded and the largest terror attack since 911. It has sparked off even more fighting and arguing on multiple topics. The problem is, all the antics have distracted us from who we really are. We are all human beings. We may have different backgrounds, different beliefs. I do not want to sermonize or demonize, there is plenty of that going on already. Instead, I wanted to share a few verses and a thought or two on who we are.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
So as followers or believers in God, we should take the moment to morn those who were lost in the tragic event, but not get caught up in the bashing of a people, or taking the event to push an agenda. Instead, we should continue on with our own calling. Building and better the community around us. Helping those in need, connecting with the marginalized, and sharing our blessing with others. Because, it doesn’t really matter what label is put on someone, because we all share the same label “human being”.
The shooter is dead, his wife may end up in jail, his family has their own issues to deal with now, which will be more than plenty to handle. God is big enough to handle whatever justice needs to be done. I’m not going to make any difference in any justice they may deserve, but I can make a positive impact in someone else’s life, for the rest of their life. I/we get to be a part of changing a persons or family’s history, forever. It may feel like evil is winning today, but good will always overcome in the long term.
I feel that Habitat’s mission statement puts it best; “Putting God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity builds homes, communities, and hope.” By constructing a house, we create a building that a family makes into a HOME, by engaging with friends, family, and volunteers, we create the COMMUNITY, and by combining them both, we build HOPE that life can be better tomorrow than it was today.
It does not matter if someone is gay, straight, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgendered, Islamic, Jewish, Mormon, Catholic, Baptist, Atheist, Russian, Chinese, American, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent, black, brown or white. The one thing we ALL are is human, and all human life deserves to be treated with the same respect, no one is better than another.
So, today, I choose to focus on life and making it better, my own life, the life of my family, the life of my friends, and the lives of those in my community, and any others I can. That is why I am with Habitat, and will encourage and promote this same thing with any and every one I can.
ALL LIVES MATTER, all lives should be celebrated, and all lives should be given help when needed. With God’s help, all things are possible.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
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