one way?

sakala and i were taking the service at a local anglican church this morning, an experience that was both weird and wonderful. quite different from what i am used to: robes, sung liturgy, kneeling for communion and plenty of bling, but still beautiful and holy.

this afternoon we wandered into town and sat for a while listening to a mennonite choir with the most beautiful harmonies, dressed traditionally in long dresses and head coverings. we were about the only people taking an interest and so one of the ladies came to talk to us and we had a great conversation about different traditions and how we approach god.

however, i did leave feeling a little bit judged. somehow, in a very subtle way, i got the distinct feeling that she hoped that one day i would correctly read the word of god and give up my worldly trappings and come to know the full truth, long skirts and all. it annoyed me.

in the words of the mumfords: 'how can you say that your truth is better than ours?' or in other words, how can you say that your interpretation of the scripture is better than ours?

i've watched countless debates online over the days following the legalisation of gay marriage in the states (i know, i should stop this - it's like picking at a scab). people are pretty hot under the collar about this ruling and are, for the most part, choosing to communicate their views in pretty hateful ways.

i've been asked a few times when i've gone into schools with yfc: 'why does god hate gay people' and it makes me want to scream. how did we, as followers of the incredible and world-changing revolutionary jesus, who taught that we can know truth and love and freedom and life, become known for being such single-issue haters.

long skirts or trousers? head coverings or no head coverings? robes or jeans? candles or computers? liturgy or tongues? women or no women? marriage or divorce? gay or straight? black or white?

i do believe in a jesus who is passionate about us and passionate in his pursuit of us. i do believe that his pursuit of us is not changed by what we wear or how we pray or who we are attracted to or what colour skin we have. i believe that he passionately pursues that (delete where applicable) gay / straight / rich / poor / black / white / asian / muslim / terrorist / prostitute (whichever group we choose to marginalise at any one time) just as much as he pursues me. and i love him for that.