Advent is a season observed by many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. Advent is also the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. As I reflect during this time of Advent, I also reflect on ways I witness Advent or “longing for” in my personal life, in our community and our church. This reflection leads me to address my longing for each of us to possess unconditional love for all people.
Thousands of children and young adults, including here in the Inland Empire, are rejected by their parents, their community and their church for being themselves and identifying as LGBT. Many are forced out of their homes and end up homeless as a result, in part, of a lack of acceptance and unconditional love. I think about these youth when I see young people that are homeless in our neighborhoods and think about how I would react if my child came out as LGBT. If our own children came out as LGBT, if we learned that children in our own community were homeless as a result of being rejected by their parents, by their community, by their church, what could we do to lead in displaying unconditional love for them?
A young 14-year old child named Lizzie Lowe experienced immense fear she would not be accepted as LGBT by God, by her family and by her community within her church. She ended her life as a result of that fear. I think about her and reflect on whether acceptance and intentional unconditional love could have saved her life. If Lizzie Lowe was in our community, what could we do to lead in displaying unconditional love for her?
This Advent I continue to wait for the return of Jesus; however, while I wait, I also look to our community to lead by being an example of unconditional love for all people in a way I believe Jesus would like us to. I recognize that there are many beautiful, loving and compassionate people in our community and church who already are leading in unconditional love. I’ve witnessed this in our leadership and members of our congregation. Their compassion has created a space for us to worship, be in community and experience love in a way we have been longing for. Their compassion has provided hope that we can be accepted and included in our community. I also recognize that there is an opportunity for all of us to further display unconditional love to all people—people like Lizzie Lowe, people like our family, our neighbors, people like me.
Psalm 120 expresses a longing for peace.
I’ved lived far too long with people who hate peace.
I’m for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
This war is one we can end together. I have faith that we can choose a path that leads to peace and unconditional love for all people.