Facing challenges
Sometimes fears are a result of a lack of control of a situation. As Christians we should know that God is in control at all times. Although, sometimes it doesn't feel like it at all. When something does not go our way we can lash out at God, cursing him, screaming his name over and over. Even Jesus doubted in his final moments.
I can't say for sure what God's reaction is when I get angry and shout at him. But I'm confident that if I ask forgiveness he is swift to show it. This lack of control can be scary. God never gives us any more than we can handle.
In my life I have known a great deal of wonderful human beings. I think the top of this list goes to a woman I used to work with.
Tom is transgender. Tom, when I knew him, was still not confident enough with people to express his sexual orientation. Mainly because he had experienced the very worst of human nature.
I always hoped she would be safe and often prayed for her, even after she stopped working for me.
I met Tom a few months back and we had a coffee (tea, I didn't drink it all) and asked her how she was doing. Tom, by this time had "come out" and was dressing and living as a woman in all but biological terms.
I said that I had often prayed for her and she thanked me, Tom being a committed Christian had also, struggled with people in her Church and with rejection. I could see the pain in her eyes.
However she told me one of the best redeeming stories I will ever hear.
Tom was shopping for clothes in Oxford Street when she became aware that he was being stared at. She said her hackles went up and instantly she went into defensive mode. She then had that moment of dread when an elderly lady approached her and started to speak.
In Tom's mind all manner of things started to play out, but she remained calm, because she had learnt that not to do so, usually ended in very bad situations.
Here is what Tom said the woman said:
"You're one of them aren't you?"
She reached out and touched her arm and said "don't fear, your time will soon come and you can cast off this shell that has been weighing you down. I can tell you have struggled, but I truly believe God has made you not to challenge you, but to challenge us into accepting and loving everyone"
I was blown away by this. I actually had tears in my eyes and Tom had a smile on her beautiful face. You see she knows, she is here for a purpose. She is made that way to show us that all are accepted and all must be loved. Fear of the unusual, the weird, and the unconventional is understandable, but that fear must never lead us to hate. Jesus never sat with the faithful or the healed. He sat with the broken and the oppressed. He didn't challenged them he challenged us.
Steve Fogo
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