Christ does call us away from “clinging” to things of this world. Sexual orientation, however, is not something I “cling” to—it is simply a part of me, like my hand, my hazel eyes or my brown hair. Those who “cling” to something are those walking in this world trying to be something they are not. “Clinging” would be like writing with your non-dominant hand because the church and society only approves writing with one particular hand. “Clinging” is like putting in colored contact lenses because the church and society only approves of one eye color, or coloring your hair because the church and society only approves of one hair color.
“Clinging” is when you’re so afraid to live into the reality of how God has created you that you insist on putting on the mannerism of whatever way of living the church says is acceptable. So, you can “cling” to your religiously prescribed identity, but in reality you’re still a right-handed, hazel-eyed, brown-haired person. Living into who, and what, you truly are is not clinging—it is becoming whole.
Well put, I think. From a post by Candace Chellew-Hodge, Time to Get Rid of “Gay Christians.”
I sometimes feel that the corporate unconsciousness of the church concerning her own identity can be so tragic. She clings and clings to perceptions that have very little to do with the one she professes to serve. Sadly, she projects this on her members and becomes an obstacle instead of a nurturer in their journey towards true identity in Christ.
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