Humility Month
The signs of June are everywhere. Rainbow designs are emblazoned on billboards, store entries, and even lighted upon municipal buildings. Rainbow flags, hoisted on buildings and flagpoles, snap in the wind. It is a national celebration for a lifestyle that mocks God and misleads people.
Gay Pride Month, with its raucous parades, has become a testimony to self-indulgence. A toast to being loud and proud. "Hear me ROAR!"
It is antithetical to the only One worthy of such adoration. Jesus, the most powerful Being, lowered Himself to a baby — leaving the majesty of heaven for a lowly manger. Over time, young Jesus grew in wisdom and stature as He became a man. He was a man who knew no pride. Satan was the prideful one. In fact, his pride is what caused his eviction from heaven.
In all of its hyperbole over authentic love, the LGBT messaging is missing the key ingredient: God, His truth, and grace. It is evident the LGBT community doesn’t promote Jesus or the heart of God.
John 10:27 captures this expression of knowing: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” It’s a type of knowing that expands beyond head knowledge; it emanates from the heart.
22 years ago — after shunning the spiritual knowing derived from growing up in a Christian home to live as a gay man — I gave my life back to Christ. My circumstances were dire. No money, just credit card debt. I lost all worldly possessions except the clothes on my defeated frame and my car. On June 8, 2002, I said to God, “I’m Yours again.”
In utter brokenness and humbled by my circumstances, I asked strangers for money. I had nowhere else to turn except to God. Lying on the floor of a friend’s apartment, I cried out to God.
There seems to be a tinge of irony that the Lord led me out of homosexuality during Pride Month. While most of the culture is honoring the LGBT movement, for me this month has become Humility Month. It’s both remembrance and remembering what God has done in my life.
Reflecting on the past from where I came and where I am today, I am happily married to my beautiful bride of 15 years, Amanda, as we partner in raising our three children. I correlate my contemplation with that of an Old Testament theme:
Remember.
Remember when.
Looking back, God rescued me. He protected me. I called and He answered. He has delivered me and I hope to have a long life free from the stranglehold of sin that once enslaved me!
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.
He will call on Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life, I will satisfy him
and show him My salvation.” — Psalm 91:14-16
Parents of prodigals, don't ever give up! God hears your tears.
Thank you for letting me share the joy of my salvation!
In His grace and truth,
Jim
P.S. This summer, I can’t wait to share my new books with you: Breaking Sin’s Grasp, Your Temptation Doesn’t Define You, and The Button Kids series teaching parents solid theology regarding boys, girls, and God’s design for the sexes: birth-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Go to JimDomen.com.