Scarcity looms over us more than we’re often aware of. We do not always perceive how the invisible hand of “never enough” acts in our lives and dictates our actions. Besides those pesky little things like patriarchy, scarcity seems to be a driving force behind much of the homophobia and transphobia that exists in the world today.
While rarely spoken or perceived, there is a tendency within many Christian circles to feel the need to withhold God’s love and grace to those who deserve it—which is totally antithetical to the whole point of grace. These communities will determine for themselves what deserving is, whether it be praying a prayer, showing up to church, or living, loving, or looking a certain way. But is this how we see God acting?
In the years of wandering in the wilderness, we see God show up for a grumbling, idolatrous, and stubborn people. If it weren’t for Moses, would they even think of God at all? And yet, God provides enough: enough food; enough drinkable water; enough time for transformation.
I don’t think we often realize how long they wandered. Forty years is basically my entire life, and is certainly longer than I can remember. And that was the point. A generation needed to relearn interdependence and contentment. They needed to unlearn slavery and relearn community. They needed time for transformation.
I am often impatient when it comes to change. Like Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, “I want it now!” But each day is an opportunity for incremental growth, both for myself and those who work against us. This is not meant to be an excuse for bigotry and hatred, but a discipline for myself in patience. I will continue to pray and work for change and learn to accept that much has changed for me to even be able to do that—and for that I am grateful!
That being said, there is a challenge here for those who would restrict God’s love and grace from queer folk. And it’s simple: STOP IT. Just as there was manna enough for everyone each day in the wilderness, there is plenty of God’s love and grace for all people. Stop assuming it’s just for you, stop holding on to this sense of moral superiority, and stop holding back what is meant for all!
