Often when we no longer need old or damaged clothes we throw them out into the rubbish bin, we also do the same to a broken vessel. Imagine how many in our communities who have worshipped and served in the church are left broken and dejected and simply tossed into religious dustbins like rubbish.
The despair is often too severe, it will have to take an expert to put the pieces together. That expert for us is Jesus Christ who said “Matthew 11:28-30 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This is how we believe God is working through the various House Of Rainbow missions reaching thousands of LGBTIQ people and our families, who have been treated so badly, that our brokenness is beyond recognition. Many of us seek alternative forms of spirituality and connectedness to the higher spirit, in order to avoid the religious rhetoric and oppressive languages.
Ephesian 4:14 (NRSV) reminded us to have our own mind and thinking, “We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.”
I am particularly thinking of transgender people, I want to remind us that we are God’s people and created with beauty in the heart of God.The tasks for mending shattered vessels is arduous and takes lots of patience, compassion and love. Sadly, many feel so broken that they commit suicide. Many live destructive lives giving no meaning to who we are, because of the religious oppressive words that have been spoken to, about and with us, including the rejection by those we consider family.
We cannot run away from God whose creativity is permanent and simply amazing. God back to the time that we were innocent and filled with love and grace. Take our mind back to how it didn’t matter when we were younger, at least until we received the boldness to speak out for who we are.
God is calling us to a place of healing and reconciliation, of peace and joy. Scriptures reminded us in Romans 9:20-21 NRSV, “But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is moulded say to the one who moulds it, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?”
Know who you are and whose you are, I want to encourage us to embrace a new world and religious views as Transgender, Lesbian, Bisexual, Intersex, Gay and Queer people to dedicate ourselves to God and God’s service. We are very important to God and the birth of the saviour Christ made a consensus for us.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
I share that peace be with you as you contemplate and ponder on these words, may it be filled with lots of love and blessings.
The ministry of House Of Rainbow begins where others end.
By Reverend Jide Macaulay, LLB MTh PGC FACTS.
Jide Macaulay is the founding Pastor and CEO of House of Rainbow CIC. British-Nigerian born in London, a Christian minister since 1998, a dynamic and an inspirational speaker, author, poet, pastor and preacher, HIV activist, holds a degree in Law, masters’ degree in Theology and a Post-graduate certificate in Pastoral Theology. Jide focuses his ministry on inclusion and reconciliation of sexuality, spirituality and human rights. He writes for various Christian and secular Journals. He has authored several books, Poetry Inspired 2001 and Pocket Devotion for LGBT Christians 2005, he has won several awards including the 2003 and 2007 Black LGBT Community Award for “Man of the Year” for his work helping people of faith. Shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards 2014, in the category for Positive Role Model. He served from 2007 to 2013 as Executive Board member and Co-Chair of Pan Africa International Lesbians and Gay Association. He is currently Regional Africa Representative of Global Interfaith Network, Board of Trustee at Kaleidoscope Trust UK, and a Trained Volunteer Champion at Afruca Children’s Charity.