Sermonette: July 30, 2018

The theme for the last full day of the ELCA youth gathering was "Hope changes everything." In a world where it is so easy to become discouraged, this is a message that we all need to hear. I understand that we all have different personalities, beliefs, values and even ethics. A study of ethics can guide us to understand one another better. In fact, we all fall into different categories based on what kind of ethics we have. For example, I fall into the situational ethics. Even so, I find myself struggling to understand why some people don't see or believe the way I do.

I know I am not alone in this. I find it much easier to disagree with someone when we hold an established connection and shared mutual respect. But all too often mutual respect is thrown out the window-- floating in blackness of space unable to be reached. And so as you continue to read, I ask that no matter what you believe, that you reach out that window as far as possible and grab onto some of that respect.

By the fourth day of the ELCA youth gathering, we were all exhausted. The heat had worn down our energy, and all the kids wanted to do during our afternoon break was go back to the hotel to swim. Unfortunately transportation back was expensive. Instead we chose to ride the light rail for free and spend our break at the Houston Zoo.

We arrived for the mass gathering, with another 30 minutes in the Houston humidity trying to make our way into the stadium for prime seating. By the time we got there, we were so spent that I seriously wondered if that night's speakers would hold our attention.

Luckily, the event planners obviously knew what they were doing. The evening got off to a lively start with a DJ and some familiar 80's music to get the crowd of 30,000 out of their seats.

Even more, all three speakers impacted us that night. One in particular gave me so much hope! She game me hope that one day all people, including those who identify LGBT, will be welcomed and accepted in the church. It gave me hope they would no longer be seen as sinful people, but as God's beloved children. This speaker who moved me so was an 11-year-old transgender girl named Rebekah. She and her mother Jamie spoke to an attentive, affirming and gracious crowd. They spoke about hope-how hope changes everything.

Rebekah's story of her life is not my story to share. It is her story, and to fully understand you will need to it from her. The following YouTube link offers a short intro about Rebekah and also includes the same speech I heard her give in Houston. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16v4H70hqRk.

My guess is some of you will choose not to watch this, but will instead point out Biblical passages without context to support your opinions about LGBT individuals. Maybe you will even get angry. But this is a great chance to reach out the window and grab ahold of the respect that so easily slips away.

I have great respect for Jesus and his unconditional love for the whole world. I respect Jesus, who healed outcasts, people in the margins and orphaned children. I encourage you to use such respect and give pause for a moment to listen and understand the message Rebekah shares. Jesus, like Rebekah's family and friends, said in Matthew 18:3, "Come unto me and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs."

When you watch the video, pay close attention to how the audience reacts. It is in this reaction, that I have hope. And hope changes everything!