Save us from ourselves

After reading the comments by Episcopalian Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on diversity and inclusiveness in the church, I thought about her standing before God.

God will ask her, as he will each of us, “What did you do with the time I gave you on Earth?” She will no doubt reply something like, “I devoted my life to making sure everyone felt comfortable in your presence.”

God would then say, if I understand Scripture at all: “Really? I came to Earth and died a rather horrific death so people would not be comfortable in my presence. I came to change them. If they are perfectly fine as they are, my visit and death was quite unnecessary.”

Those of us who try to follow Jesus do so because we want to be changed. I can think of few things more horrible than for Jesus Christ to leave me as I am. He said to his disciples, “take up your cross and follow me.” For many, that cross is sexuality. So be it, the call is the same. My prayer is always, “God save me from myself.” I think that is the deep cry of many of us.

Jim Becker

Spokane