Part 2 of a 2 part post Part by Virginia A. McCray
They were married and had a beautiful wedding. She thought they’d be happy for a lifetime but sometimes life throws a curveball. After about a year of marriage, the Pastor made her husband step down as Worship Leader. Her husband blamed it on church politics. She tried to get a deeper understanding and even tried to talk to the Pastor but he wouldn’t talk to her about it. She noticed people distancing themselves from them in church and couldn’t understand why. When she asked her husband if he noticed, he stood by his claim of church politics being responsible, but she knew something was wrong. She also noticed that her husband was staying out later and working out of town more often.
Eventually, the late nights and disappearances became too much that she started her own investigative research and she discovered the truth. She didn’t want to believe it, but she’d seen it with her own eyes. At first, she thought, “Maybe it’s a business meeting. He did say he was going out of town on business.” After having an investigator follow him, she now held the evidence in her hands. Her husband and another man were discovered in a compromising position; it hit her like a brick in her stomach. Not only was he having an affair, but it was a man! How could this be?! Now she sits, not only staring at the pictures but also at the test results. How could he do this to her? She felt so betrayed, by him and by the church.
It seemed that everyone she’d grown so close to, even the leaders, had pulled away from her. She was devastated, depressed and wanted to turn away from her faith. She wondered if they knew all along. She wondered why no one told her. She now felt totally and completely unlovable.
My questions to those reading this are: Where is the love? What does love really mean in the church? How does the church deal with a member or a leader in the church who is living on the down low? How does or how should the church deal with HIV? What is the answer?
Love, Real Love, is not the placating fake kind of love that says you can do whatever you want because that’s love. Real Love understands where people are and understands their struggles. At the same time, Real Love dispenses truth even when it’s not popular. Real love is leaders being transparent with all involved and loving them through it especially when those who are hurting reach out and need the truth. We are living in a world filled with hurt people that need the real love of Christ. The only way the individual Christian can help them is to go beyond studying, reciting, and even knowing the scriptures. As individuals and as the body of Christ, we must walk in the Spirit of God’s love. Remember Jesus is a balm in Gilead because He is Love. Accordingly, I leave with you a few “love pills” or scriptures to help you start your Love Journey. If we learn to truly walk in love, we will see its former power return to the church. Most of all, we will see so many hurt people walking in deliverance.
Love Pills:
Luke 6:31 Mark 12:31 Romans 13:10 1Corinthians 13:4-8 1Corinthians 13:13
1Peter 4:8 1John 4:18-19 Proverbs 10:12 1John 4:8 Matthew 22:37-39