- Ephesians 4:2-3 (New International Version)

This blog started out as a response to the comments posted to the Straight Nights" vigil held at Cottey College story on the Nevada Daily Mail Online, but now that I think about it, it really pertains to issues happening in Fort Scott as well.

I think it's important to understand that not all Christians fit into a box.

It's true, Christians believe the Bible is the Word of God and it is the Word that we live by. It's my guide for my life. I love the Lord. And because of that love, as a Christian, I do not hate anyone. I try hard to show love towards everyone. Yet, I wonder, that since I'm a Christian, do people assume that I hate gays and lesbians? Do they assume that I am a cookie cutter person?

I attended college at the University of Kansas and came to know the Lord and was baptized in my third year of college.

College in Lawrence was also the first time I had ever actually met a gay person. I became best friends with a girl I worked with who happened to be a lesbian. But you know, I just never thought of her that way. Before her sexual orientation, she was an awesome friend, a compassionate person, a great student, a hard worker and a really good rugby player. I even stayed the night in her room - and guess what! She didn't hit on me. I wasn't her type. All the important characteristics about her came first. I always think of how I would have missed out on knowing a really amazing person if I had let myself be scared to know her because she was gay.

Also while in college, one of my best guy friends from high school came out as gay. He is one of the most talented people I know. He writes, sings, composes, acts - you name it. I love him for who he is. His sexual orientation is between him and God. I have been called to love him.

I have been taught to love others because God loves us. It's not our job to judge. I don't necessarily agree with their decisions, but there are plenty of heterosexual people that I know whose decisions I don't agree with either. And their decisions are between them and God as well. And if I had not taken the time to know them, they would have missed out on knowing how God has worked in my life.

I don't like labels or classifications on people because people are so diverse and varied. I am strong in my faith and I have no problem sharing my faith as a Christian, which is first and foremost the most important aspect of my life. But I'm also a mother, a wife, a daughter, a writer - and a girl! I love zombie movies, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, mystery novels, rock concerts and road trips. I'm varied. Yet if people see me as a Christian (which I want them to!), do they automatically have assumptions about me that try to stuff me into a box? Like everyone else, I'm sure, I want to be known and loved for who I am as a person. It's the way God made me.

This leads me to my next issue. It makes me incredibly sad to see people using Scripture to beat others down. I'm glad that everyone knows Scripture. That is important. But I have been taught that you should use the Word to love and encourage others. Why would you use it as a weapon?

As a Christian, I have a set of beliefs that I live my life by. Part of that lifestyle is to love and accept others. I want to share my faith because of what it has done in my life. I want to share the good news of God's love, not shove it down people's throats. It's a very personal and powerful decision to follow the Lord. And it should be a wonderful decision and a wonderful journey. Do you think that using the Word to attack others communicates that lifestyle?