“⁶Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." ⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. ⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk. (Acts 3.6-8)

      One of the cornerstones of homosexual struggle is isolation but not necessarily in the sense of always being alone or of hiding from others.  In this case, isolation is usually the fear of having others know of same-gender attractions, especially those close to us.  To be too open about such things is to risk rejection.

      Ironically, coming out is celebrated by a growing number as finally embracing an identity over which there was little or no control in the first place. But such an announcement is also cause for great distress in families where biblical beliefs are in conflict with same-sex behaviors.  In recent years, there has been something of a slide to one end or the other—celebrate/accept same-gender attractions or adamantly oppose/openly condemn both the condition and the individual.

      Though there are support systems such as Exodus International where those who struggle with and reject the condition as incompatible with their beliefs can find help, these organizations are seen as out of touch with the times or worse, homophobic.  Homophobic is, by the way, a word that is assigned to anyone not in the celebrate/accept camp despite the depth of its true meaning.

      The other evening, our support group was discussing the whole issue of temptation, the frustration of falling short in thought or deed, and the desire to be completely free from all same-gender attractions. It all seems so difficult at times, especially in light of the popular pro-gay philosophy being shared in media, heralded in our educational institutions, designated through diversity training in the workplace, and preached from many pulpits. In the face of such overwhelming odds, I am not surprised when strugglers give in.

      I am a ministry leader, a group facilitator, and a writer whose purpose is to encourage those who come to our ministry seeking help, who correspond with me on this issue, or who read this newsletter. 

      If I had somehow discovered the formula for a low-cost fuel, I’d be calling press conferences and my bank balance would be soaring.  Because ministries such as this lack a sure-fire, works every time formula, our message is usually ignored or rejected.

      I and others talk about the freedom one can have from same-sex behaviors, the joy of an identity as designed by God, and the ways in which each day is a day closer in that spiritual walk. 

      Although what we offer is good and, I believe, biblically correct, those who do not struggle with same-gender attractions want to measure our healing and change by the “I no longer have any temptation” yardstick.  I know, I beat this drum in most of the letters or articles I write, so some of you might already be saying “Tell me something new.”

Silver or gold I do not have

      The man had been crippled since birth and his station at the gate begging for alms represented his livelihood.  Looking up at Peter with an outstretched hand, he either expected a coin or the kind of rejection more common to him than a donation.

      Peter told the man had no money and from the crippled man’s point of view, that might have been what we’d call “end of story.”  But it wasn’t.

      “Can you change me?” is a pretty common question heard by people in ministries like this one. Arrogance would, I think, be to say “Sure, come to the meetings. We’ll make you straight.”  Such power and authority over the lives of others is not mine to proclaim.

But what I have I give you.

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!

      Peter had walked with Jesus, had seen the miracles, and had finally embraced an unreserved faith in the power of Jesus’ name. He believed and was, I think, lead by the power of the Holy Spirit to say what he said to the cripple!

      I ask myself, “What exactly do I have? What can I offer that makes a difference?”  In a word, faith. 

      I believe in the man I am becoming not because of the absence of temptation but because of the presence of and belief in an identity that is mine in the name of the Lord.

Taking him by the right hand

      It is rather important, I think, to recognize that the cripple did not immediately respond to the command “Walk!” Had I been that cripple, my mouth would have hung open, my face would have been furrowed in confusion, and my internal defense mechanisms would have been on full alert. But Peter would have recognized this response, so he reached out and took the man’s hand, the man’s right hand, the hand seen as a potential defense against attack.

      This is where the parallels I am trying to draw become more difficult—not in sharing them but in terms of what they mean, what they demand of us.

He helped him up

         The cripple was carried each day to the gate by family or friends.  Light or heavy, his weight would have been born by those who carried him.  Peter’s hand was more than mere touch. It was an invitation the cripple had never received before. Relying on the strength of Peter’s hand, the cripple stood.

      The men and women who come to our support groups do so because they know others will listen without judgment and pray with and for them. They come to be encouraged.  They come in faith. They come to see an extended hand of support.

Instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk around.

      This crippled man had just experienced the kind of healing experienced by countless others at the hands of Jesus, only this was Peter speaking in the name of Jesus. The healing was, I believe, instantaneous yet there was a certain amount of learning how to walk, jump, and run that the former cripple would have to go through.  We need to remember that he had been unable to walk from birth.

      Something happens when we believe, when we really believe.  It’s that moment for the swimmer who stands at the edge of a diving platform, knees shaking and mind wondering what possessed this attempt.  Eventually, though, the leap is made and, in that moment after resurfacing, all doubt disappears.

      That initial and in some ways magnificent moment did not make the swimmer an accomplished diver, but it made future attempts and more complicated dives a possibility. So how do I sum all this up?

      I believe that same-gender attractions happen and I believe that they can lead to same-sex behavior.  I do not condemn myself for the attractions but believe that with time they can be minimized or even disappear.  Even if they don’t, same-sex behavior is not an alternative for that IS addressed in the Bible as wrong.

      I believe that I am as responsible for supporting and encouraging those around me in their difficult times as I hope they are to me.  Our struggles do not have to be the same and usually aren’t, but there is a vulnerability and transparency necessary for our struggles to be seen in the first place.  I am not required to understand, only to pray with and for others as I hope they are willing to pray for me.

      Mine is to share what I have learned with those who seek that information. The world’s view on homosexuality is far easier to adopt than what we read in God’s word, but I must always be mindful that God’s word is not a hammer. It is an invitation, an extended hand. Just as the cripple surrendered his right hand, his means of defense, I have to surrender and trust. 

            When push comes to shove, I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give to you!