There are many times when what I have to say is different to everybody else around me. It's been like that for a very long time. In the late 80's the environment became a deep passion . . . long before it was common conversation and concern. More recently, my views and ideals and understanding around good health - good food etc, sit on the periphery. In my family they are the butt of jokes and humour - and rants from one child. . . . but I persist and hold to my discoveries, anyway. In the living of my faith also, I know there are others, who are fellow disciples of Jesus, where we have differing views. There is nothing more potent or magnifying, or sharpening for this like the conversations around same sex marriage. I listen to my brothers and sisters who like me, espouse grace, forgiveness and love as their common language of faith, and yet, I sit in a different place to them. My journey and interaction with Christ, with others, has taken me to sit differently. And others sit in that same different place too. |
But I hope not. I can sit in the uncomfortable place of having a different voice. I wonder if we can do that as a church - with multiple uncomfortable voices . . . . and bring the respect, love and patience of Jesus to our collective being. I wonder . . . . I pray . . . .