To My Friends

Hello, readers. I write to you today with a heart that’s heavy and fingers trembling with more than a little fear. I am not accustomed to tackling hot button, people-dividing topics on my blog. There is so much of that floating around, that I’ve never felt compelled!

But today, I’m writing because God put the stamp of “writer” on my soul, and thus I write because I have to. I’m also writing because lately, in all the opinions and emotions surrounding the legalization of same-sex marriage, I haven’t really seen what I’d like to see. And in this turbulent time, I have a strong desire to speak for myself and from my own heart, especially since I have many dear friends on both sides of this issue.

I have seen so many articles, status updates, etc. from the far-end of each pole of this polarizing topic. You, my Facebook friends, are a truly diverse and beautiful group! And I love you all. But where is the common ground? Where does the immutable nature of God’s truth meet the lavish love of Jesus? Please hear me—I don’t pretend to write as one having “the” answer. I don’t hold a doctrine in theology. I’ve taken one formal class on religion, and that was the curriculum-required “Biblical Perspectives” class I took in college. I only write from my heart, my only credentials being that which God has done in my life over the years.

So, yes, my heart is heavy—but perhaps not heavy in the way you think it’s heavy. Not in the shaking-my-finger, “the sky is falling” kind of way . . . but heavy because I see the chasm between us (those against same sex marriage, those for same sex marriage) widening to a place where I’m afraid it will split us right apart. Breaking so far apart that I wonder if we’ll ever be able to hear one another—really hear and see one another—ever again.

But yes, I am also burdened by my country’s decision that runs counter to my beliefs—that is of course a big part of my heaviness. It feels awful to have your beliefs trampled on, stomped on with gleeful cheers . . . to be called the soul-demeaning term “bigot” on account of what you humbly know and believe to be true. And you know what? You on the other side of the chasm? I understand that you yourself have felt this way for a long time. I’ll be honest and confess that the church, as a whole, has done a miserable job of reaching out to you over the years. There has been little to no grace, little to no understanding, little to no love . . . only the harsh judgment of “hell, fire, and brimstone” as the saying goes. And that, my friend, was wrong.

And now, I find myself on the losing end of popular culture and on the receiving end of judgmental words and confident dismissal. And it feels awful. I am sorry that you had to feel this way for so long, and I’m sorry that I feel it now.  I find myself asking, what is the answer? I wish I had one, but I really don’t.

I do know that, no matter what our culture says, I will not back away from the truth of God’s word—even the hard truths, the truths that challenge me and challenge you . . . the truths that hurt and require sacrifice and the supernatural strength of the Holy Spirit. I will not dilute the truth of God’s call on all our lives because of what my culture says. But, that is only one piece of the puzzle, one ingredient in the mix of a life seeking to follow Jesus and stay true to His word.

So while you will not see me celebrating this decision with you, or changing my profile picture to the rainbow flag, it is extremely important to me that you know my heart. I only ask that you hear me and know that the following things will remain true:

I will continue to love you, whatever your belief.

I will continue to love Jesus, stand on His word, and strive to live in step with Him.

I will continue to pray for us all, as our soul-needs as humans run so much deeper than this one issue.

I will continue to place people over politics, because—whatever else you might be seeing out there—that is exactly what Jesus did.

I will continue to treat you with respect and dignity as a person—not because of what you do or don’t believe, not because of who you love or don’t love—but because you are human, God’s most beautiful creation, made in His image and thus deserving of respect and dignity.

Friends, on both sides of the aisle, please hear me—it is fully possible for us to disagree on this issue and still respect one another. Still love one another. That is my heart, and I hope the love and grace with which I write is shinning through to you right now. I hope it drowns out the clanging, angry voices that are so loud at this time. It is my prayer that you can see that. I will never attempt to be your Holy Spirit or to be your judge. But I will continue to be your friend, no matter how far this chasm widens. And I hope you will continue to be mine.

Blessings,

~Meredith