It is no surprise that there is, and will continue to be, a lot of repercussion to Bruce (aka Caitlyn) Jenner receiving the ESPY Arthur Ashe Award for courage.
Let me say, first of all, that I agree it takes a great amount of courage to stand up for what you believe in, especially when you know it is controversial and that there will be backlash - regardless whether it is right or wrong.
My thoughts go back to the day I was arrested for sitting in front of an abortion clinic door in silent protest of the atrocity going on inside. As I was sitting there, someone from the crowd who was opposing my protest grabbed a fist full of my hair and physically tried to remove me by my hair. A righteous indignation rose up within me and I committed at that moment to remain seated regardless of whether my hair stayed with me or not. Thankfully, my 'courage' won out and I stayed until by law, I was removed - and so did my hair!
I anticipate that some day, maybe in the not too distant future, I will be challenged to take a more risky stand for my faith.
Back to Bruce, who was most certainly a great athlete in his day. I don't know if he truly 'deserved' the reward or not, but upon receiving it, he took the opportunity to use his 'coming out' as a platform to support those who had battled or committed suicide over these struggles. All of which are heartbreaking and tragic. Genuine or political on Bruce's part (and I believe genuine), this will only serve to widen the path for others to 'be true to who they are'.
Here is where my heart is grieved.
His comment, which I have not been able to shake since hearing it, in context, shows how so many have been deceived, including Bruce himself:
"If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it," she said. "But for the thousands of kids out there, coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it."
What does it mean to be 'true to yourself'? And, what about being true to who God created you to be? Sadly, we have moved so far from His truth about us in this day and age that we don't even know who we really are, or why we are on this planet!
Here is a brief rundown of who we are as Christians. We are:
And the list goes on (but I said I would be brief!). Doesn't this sound better than a life of confusion? He is the Potter and you are the clay. Let Him mold you. He is an expert!
Let me say, first of all, that I agree it takes a great amount of courage to stand up for what you believe in, especially when you know it is controversial and that there will be backlash - regardless whether it is right or wrong.
My thoughts go back to the day I was arrested for sitting in front of an abortion clinic door in silent protest of the atrocity going on inside. As I was sitting there, someone from the crowd who was opposing my protest grabbed a fist full of my hair and physically tried to remove me by my hair. A righteous indignation rose up within me and I committed at that moment to remain seated regardless of whether my hair stayed with me or not. Thankfully, my 'courage' won out and I stayed until by law, I was removed - and so did my hair!
I anticipate that some day, maybe in the not too distant future, I will be challenged to take a more risky stand for my faith.
Back to Bruce, who was most certainly a great athlete in his day. I don't know if he truly 'deserved' the reward or not, but upon receiving it, he took the opportunity to use his 'coming out' as a platform to support those who had battled or committed suicide over these struggles. All of which are heartbreaking and tragic. Genuine or political on Bruce's part (and I believe genuine), this will only serve to widen the path for others to 'be true to who they are'.
Here is where my heart is grieved.
His comment, which I have not been able to shake since hearing it, in context, shows how so many have been deceived, including Bruce himself:
"If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it," she said. "But for the thousands of kids out there, coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it."
What does it mean to be 'true to yourself'? And, what about being true to who God created you to be? Sadly, we have moved so far from His truth about us in this day and age that we don't even know who we really are, or why we are on this planet!
Here is a brief rundown of who we are as Christians. We are:
Created in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:27)
Forgiven (Colossians 1:13,14)
We are children of God (Jn. 1:12)
Complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)
Free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1,2)
Fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17)
We are no longer slaves (Gal. 4:7)
We are new creations in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17)
We are set free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2)
We are justified and redeemed (Rom. 3:22-24)
Citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20)
Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13)
Branches of the true vine, and conduits of Christ's life (Jn. 15:1,5)
Partakers of His Divine Nature (II Pet. 1:4)
Delivered from the powers of darkness (Col. 1:13)
Strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Eph. 6:10)
More than conquerors (Rom. 8:37)
The light of the world (Matt. 5:14)
And the list goes on (but I said I would be brief!). Doesn't this sound better than a life of confusion? He is the Potter and you are the clay. Let Him mold you. He is an expert!
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." (Ps. 139:14)
"Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us and not we ourselves..." (Ps. 100:3)
"And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good." (Gen. 1:31)
And finally,
"The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works." (Ps. 145:9)
He loves you!
