Distractions

Isn't it funny the many ways that we seek out distractions? Movies, TV, internet, music, friends, can all be used as a sort of diversion. We may not always do this for the purpose of being distracted, but there are definitely times when we do. We find ourselves wanting to unplug and zone out. But distractions can be a huge disservice to us. They can blind us from what's really going on around us and cause us to disconnect from ourselves and others.

As a Christian, trying to "hear from God" I find it hard to hear His voice clearly beyond all the other voices in life. Matt Redman, a musician and author says, "The hardest part in trying to hear God's voice is not getting God to speak, it's quieting ourselves so that we can hear what He is already speaking." This is so true. We spend so much time distracting ourselves that it is almost virtually impossible for us to hear God speak.

I am reminded of the account of Elijah on Mount Horeb. There was a great and mighty wind that passed by him, but the Lord was not in the wind. There was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. There was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. But then, after the fire there was a voice, a soft quiet voice. The Lord was speaking. I believe God speaks to us much like He did with Elijah, in a soft quiet voice. But how will we hear this voice if we are not quiet? How can God's quiet voice compete with the noise that we surround ourselves with?

I tell people that God speaks to me the most when I'm shaving. I don't do this to get laughs, although most of the time I do get a chuckle or two. I really have heard His voice while shaving. I think the reason for this is that in those moments I am completely quiet. I'm not focused on what's going on around me, I'm not talking, I'm not concerned about what things I need to accomplish that day. I'm staring at a mirror and running a razor across my face. Thats it. I'm in a perfect place to hear God speak. My hope is to make time for more moments like these. To quiet myself from the noise of life and just listen for that small quiet voice.

HOMOSEXUALITY: IS IT A SIN?

Is homosexuality a sin? This is one topic which has spawned much heated debate for sure and has become something of a moot point in many churches today. I believe the reason that this topic has become a moot point is because it has not been properly addressed. Many pastors simply string together a few scriptures on this topic and try to answer this question in a practical way instead of searching for a theological explanation on why the scriptures say what they say about the issue of homosexuality. So what is the theological explanation for the bible's stance on homosexuality?

Let's start at the beginning. In Genesis chapter 1, we find that God creates the first people, Adam and Eve. Verse 27 tells us, "In the image of God he created them; male and female created them." So we see that God's creative order is Male to female relations. Homosexual relations deviate from and violate this order. So from a theological perspective, homosexuality is sinful because it violates God's creative order.

This leads us to another question, are people born homosexuals? If people are born homosexuals and homosexuality is a sin, that would make God schizophrenic based on the scriptures that condemn homosexual relations. Also, if people are born homosexuals then God is unjust and cruel because of the standards He places on sexual relations. Or to swing the pendulum in the other direction, if people are born homosexuals and God allows us to stay this way then Jesus' work of redemption on the cross is cheapened. However, if we look at scripture what we find is that no one is born gay or straight but rather all of us are born sinners and as such are born into brokenness. It makes as much sense to say that someone is born gay or straight as it does to say that someone is born an alcoholic. We may be born with certain propensities, but theologically we are all born sinners, fully depraved because of the fall.

So from a theological perspective homosexual relations are sinful because they violate God’s creative order. And secondly, every person is born a sinner with propensity toward sin. This is why Jesus is so important.