But the greatest of these is love.

Yesterday, the American people seemed to take a seismic shift with the decision of the SCOTUS' ruling regarding same-sex marriage.  Those who know me know without question, that I am a Christian.  I tend to not put my own opinions and beliefs publicly out there on a daily rant.

First, for those who are worried and anxious on how this will affect their churches, I will post this from page 27 under the "Opinion of the Court":

"Finally, it must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered. The same is true of those who oppose same-sex marriage for other reasons. In turn, those who believe allowing same-sex marriage is proper or indeed essential, whether as a matter of religious conviction or secular belief, may engage those who disagree with their view in an open and searching debate. The Constitution, however, does not permit the State to bar same-sex couples from marriage on the same terms as accorded to couples of the opposite sex."

Churches of any faith are still protected under the 1st amendment, so those FREAKING out need to calm down and get educated. It's. Not. That. Hard.  I believe there are something our founding fathers called "separation of church and state.” 

Also:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Ph. 4:6-7)

I was reading one blog yesterday and I came across this:

“We must remember: God is God.  How he deals with each of us in our sin and brokenness—whatever that struggle may be—is ultimately God’s business.”

I’m not looking to get into a debate with anyone over this. I just wanted to personally express my views, whether you agree with them or not. We all have that fundamental right, no?  My problems are my problems and God’s problem.  I am to focus on my own sins and where I fall before I can help pick up a friend and give them encouragement that I fail to give myself.  I cannot help another when I cannot even help myself.  We all need to look inside our own hearts and be awaken to the many imperfections God is still trying to grasp hold of.   

Personally, no one's marriage or rights before the law infringe on my personal beliefs, my own marriage, or my relationship with Christ.  It also does not change how I choose to interact or love people who have different opinions or lifestyles than I do.  In fact, a very fundamental core of my Christian beliefs call me to love all people.  My relationship with Christ helps me to love that person who stands on the other side of ANY issue, because it is what Christ would do.  He would not yell or belittle that person.  He would definitely have conversation with them though.  As Max Lucado put it, "Something good will come out of this.  Maybe now we can have this discussion where we need to have it.  Face-to-face.  In neighborhoods.  Over dinner tables.  Perhaps the hate-filled words will subside and clear thinking will gain traction; the shouting will diminish and the heart-felt dialogue will increase."

I also know of too many people who do not uphold or value marriage in the same respect that I do - whether they are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Agnostic, or whatever...but guess what?  They still get married every day because marriage is no longer just a fundamental Christian sacrament reserved only for us.  It is a societal and government right. No two people from any of these groups, or even within the Christian denomination, are going to have the same outlook on marriage that my husband and I hold.  Just because anyone I come into contact with is going to have a personal view of what marriage should be or should not be, it still does not and will not change my view for my own marriage. And it should not.  This does not mean I am 100% condoning anything, so please do not twist my words. Take them for what they are. 

To my Christian friends, I have also seen so many comments thrown out such as accountability of another's sin, forgiveness, repentance, and grace.  First, if you are in the authority to hold another accountable for their sin, please be sure you are extending this to any type of sin - not just the ones you see fit.  It is also best if that person has come to you to hold them accountable, and mostly remember this: you CANNOT and will NOT change anyone. Yes, our relationships with Christ offer the gifts of forgiveness, repentence, and grace, but this can only come from God. Our relationships with God are also individual matter's of the heart. No man can offer these gifts. I do not need man's approval or grace - so why are we still trying to seek these??? Please do not also say that you are going down the better path of righteousness because when you fall, you seek forgiveness from our loving Father, and repent of it. That is a wonderful thing you are doing, and I am honestly not trying to take away from that, but you are not free from that sin and you have not broken the seal of it either - only Christ did that when He died on the cross.  Only He has waged the war on death and overcame it.  You are not God - you are human and imperfect.  How long do you go until you commit that same sin again or commit a different sin?  Are you really that different then from what you feel so threatened by? And it is not my job as a sister in Christ to confront you every single time you fall. Let's be honest for a second - I sin probably way more times throughout my day than I naively even realize, whether it be in my thoughts or actions. 

Throughout all of this, I feel we have all personally hit the overall mark. So yay! #loveforall and #lovewins - but are we really and truly ALL acting in that same love we are so eagerly fighting for?  I have seen some personally disturbing and sad comments towards those who are in support of gay marriage, as well as equally disturbing and sad comments towards those who identify within the Christian religion.  It is equally hurtful when there are those who make comments that Christianity is crumbling, we are a bunch of crazies who are full of ignorant beliefs.  If you have encountered this, I am sorry.  Not that it is my apology to give or should I need to give it, but I hope in the future you can have a better encounter with a Christian person, and truly see the heart that lies within - just like you are asking for today.  You cannot be celebrating any kind of love, yet be tearing down and demeaning anyone.  It does not work that way.  It distorts the very simplistic idea and pureness of love.  Sorry, but it does not make you better than the next person, regardless of your views and whether you think you are right and they are wrong. 

“God’s love is limitless and extends to all humankind.  His love includes gay men and women; it includes all sinners—including you and me.  Let’s make sure we are absolutely clear on this point: Jesus’ life on earth showed us that he extended great love to all of humanity, including those society deemed as “unworthy” of love.”