In recent weeks a homosexual was moved into the Faith Dorm. His cell was across the hall from mine and I was indifferent - of all the things which I have witnessed over the years, this was no big deal. As the intervening days progressed, it became clear that he was being avoided like the plague. A dorm replete with Christians was being uninviting. Unfriendly. I, too, was guilty of avoiding him!
On two occasions I made a pathetic attempt to say "good morning.". Keep in mind, this salutation, though not hollow, was barely audible as I rushed by. Fickle person that I am, I did not want to be seen talking to him; yep, I still get caught up in what onlookers perceive. To say the least, I felt like a schmuck. Perhaps more troublesome than being cowardly, I did not know how to talk to him....
After some uncomfortable time had elapsed and I had grown to no longer see this individual (he was physically present, but I had blocked him out), a non Christian approached me with an account that I could no longer sweep under the rug of oblivion: This openly gay fella was feeling the prompt of making life changes. On one particular Sunday afternoon he felt drawn to go to church. Having heard accounts from several people, the congregation did not welcome him. No greetings. No handshakes (of course not, cooties). Worst of all, and most degrading, nobody would sit near him. The atheist who approached me had confided that this person was broken and distraught, questioning his value and if it was even possible to be spiritual. My heart ached for him.
Not giving a damn what passersby thought, I grabbed a chair and went to his door and knocked. Not having many visitors, it is suspected that he was taken aback by seeing me. It didn't help that I appeared less than congenial - I was pissed by how he was treated by that church, by the Faith Dorm, by me. Christians.... The little fella hesitantly opened his door and was bare chested. This made me feel a little uncomfortable. So, without much gentleness in my voice, I said: "Put a shirt on, grab your chair, and sit down, we have to talk!" Looking back, I should have smiled, introduced myself, and expressed why I was there. Oops.
Sitting in the hallway, I shared how Christianity is not an easy walk. How as a felon it is more arduous. And, factoring his sexual orientation, well, such could only make his journey more didfficult. I also came clean with not knowing how to talk to him. For the most part, this was a one sided conversation. That is, until I invited him to pray. We did.
Afterwards, I approached several Christians and expressed the need to embrace this troubled soul, a person contemplating life changes. Some agreed; others gave me the ubiquitous stink eye. In the next couple of days I had repeatedly attempted to reconnect with this person, but from one thing or another was prevented from doing so. It was unclear if Satan was blocking me from encouraging another conversion to Jesus? Or, was it God intervening to protect me (this will make sense in a moment)?
Please, permit me to digress for a moment. The atheist had come to me the day after I met with his gay acquaintance. And, this is not said to bring accolades to myself, but the time I had spent with this troubled soul had really lifted his spirits and gave home the gumption to continue to move forward. Hallelujah. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways.
Two days later this troubled soul was beaten up by his roommate (also a homosexual). Complete speculation on my part, but what if he was beaten because he is trying to change his life? A modern day persecution.... If this is indeed the case, he was willing to take a bunch of lumps whereas the rest of us were apprehensive of incurring a little gossip!
May our Lord have mercy on this gentle person.
Marana tha
