Wading into the water (part 3)

Since I'm on semi- to full-blown controversial topics this week, I'll run one more up the flag pole.

If you know a guy named Jonathan Merritt, then you probably are pretty well connected into evangelical life in America.  He's the son of a Baptist pastor, an author, a representative for younger ministry-minded types, and overall a pretty well-spoken guy.  He leans farther left that I am comfortable on some of his applications of the Gospel, but we have a more in common than we don't have in common.

He's also brave.

He was outed by a blogger who told tales of his own personal exploits with Jonathan.  Claims of Jonathan being a gay man were met by shock and head-scratching in the evangelical world.  And Jonathan responded with bravery.

But not THAT kind of bravery.  You know that kind:  it gets you on CNN to talk about your sexual orientation and how you've been oppressed by all these people and you're glad now to live your life authentically, etc.

His kind of bravery was different.

He confessed to doing something inappropriate and sinful.  He called it sin.  He explained some of the reasons why.  And he took responsibility for it.

And then he ran into the arms of Jesus again.  And again.  And again.  And again.  You get the idea.

He's healing from his past.  He's confessing the sin of his present.  He's looking forward to a glorious future.  He has a girlfriend, apparently.  He's connected to his church and getting support in various forms from them.  He's working hard at becoming the man God wants him to be.

That's brave.  The Enemy would love for us all to run from God rather than to Him in our need, in our sin, in our hurt, in our failing.  Especially when it is revealed by someone else and we're suddenly and embarrassingly in the spotlight.

He didn't hide.  He didn't flee.

He ran.  To God.  And that's the best play every day.

But that's just me thinking thoughts...