Three Fathers from the Fire
“‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
(2 Cor. 6:17–18)
I just addressed a large gathering of Living Waters leaders. Chief among them were three friends from active homosexual backgrounds: one abused for a decade by an uncle, another picked off early by a priest, and the third having contracted HIV as a teen. Today, all three are exceptional husbands and fathers.
What accounts for their solidity? They aspired to their deepest, truest desires and walked through fire to realize them. Each denied himself and chose to suffer well by re-engaging painful histories with the help of Jesus and friends. Each became worthy of the amazing women they married.
All three became men in the flames. Like the prophet Daniel and his friends, all three endured fire in order to emerge fruitful, fit to live faithful, holy lives.
Today is the Feast of St. Charles Lwanga. Along with a band of chaste friends, Charles resisted the lustful advances of his Ugandan king.
Chastity cost Lwanga and company everything. Yet they marched, singing, into the flames, empowered by love of Jesus. He endowed them with might to overcome lustful indignities.
Glory awaited these martyrs. Yet their sacrifice still fuels the fortitude of my three friends who have become fruitful in a different way. They emerged from the flames to build families and healing communities. Lwanga blazed a path for each to overcome sexual idolatry, to engender new life, and to help others do the same.
Pride Month invites us to boast in the Lord. I urge you, Christian, to summon the courage of your convictions. Cheer on the Lwangans in your midst! We tend to stammer or stay silent, fearing that faith might hurt the ‘gays’ among us. Stop playing nice. Be true. Make known what Jesus will do for those willing to endure the fire of holy love.
We are super excited to make Queered Out available to everyone for free starting this July. Thirteen amazing witnesses enliven eight videos that make clear: Jesus and friends set seekers free from homosexuality and free for full and fruitful lives. Enough about rainbow liberties. Jesus alone unlocks the captive heart.
Stay tuned for Queered Out. And please let others know. He is the way out!
Every day during Pride Month, we will be lifting up parents and any LGBTQ+-identified children. Please email Abbey at afoard@desertstream.org to be included in our daily prayer.
Surrendering and realigning with the our Heavenly Father through the fire of the holy spirit is a mighty privilege. Our spiritual rebirth, the adoption as his children through his Son Jesus Christ is an incredible journey. We learn obedience in the valley of death. Death to lust, fear and overcoming the false bandaid lies placed on us by the devil. Jesus is King!
Amen, Andy. Let’s choose the fire of painful suffering, bros and sisters! Like the 3 faithful Hebrews and so many others, let us say even if He doesn’t deliver us we will not bow down to your idols, O King.