My husband and I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend an incredible and historic gathering of people from all around the world who are convening their hearts, minds, and resources around ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
I must admit, attending the conference was not originally on my radar. In fact, it was so not on my radar, that I wasn't even aware it was happening, even though it was scheduled to take place only minutes from my home.
This is the first time in almost 30 years that the conference has been held on US soil, and God in His infinite wisdom decided that Kendrick and I would be among the thousands to participate.
We are participating at the invitation of Rick and Kay Warren, so you know that means it is no accident that we are at the conference--it's definitely "on purpose." From the way things have gone so far, God is actually achieving multiple purposes in having us attend this conference.
He is stretching us through an object lesson that shows us what it really means wo walk where Jesus did. Sure, we traveled to the Holy Land earlier this year and literally traced the footsteps of Jesus. But, in availing ourselves to learn to be more hospitable to those who are treated as outcasts and modern-day lepers because of HIV/AIDS, we are walking spiritually where Jesus walked--with those considered "untouchable" or "unclean."
Of course, we know that people living with HIV/AIDS are neither untouchable or unclean, but too many in society and the church continue to operate from those errant beliefs.
It has been such an honor to hear and be a part of the voices that represent the growing commitment of the body of Christ to agree to disagree on issues regarding sexuality, but agree like Jesus did, to walk with those who regardless of their actions, are still created in the image of God and deserve the opportunity to experience the healing, liberating love of Jesus Christ. As one of the speakers from Africa noted, too often the church is ready to send people to Hell before God has even had an opportunity to invite them to Heaven.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to share the gospel and tend to those in need of clothing, food, shelter and healing. When we tend to the physical needs of those in need, we embody the gospel message in ways that go far beyond our words. We also, as my friend Steve Fitzhugh used to say, "earn the right to be heard."
And, when it comes to being heard, our job is to sow the seed and let God take care of the increase. We simply let the Word do what only it can do and we leave the timetable for transformation to God.
As the largest institution on the planet, with billions of members in cities, hamlets, hills and villages worldwide, the church cannot afford to be silent or to stand still with something as serious as HIV/AIDS swirling all around us.
We know that God's plan for sexual expression does not include turning that which is divinely designed to be life-giving into a life sentence or even worse, a death sentence. Consequently, we must do all we can to walk and talk with the next generation to help them make better choices--to help them choose life.
We must also walk and talk with those living with HIV/AIDS to help give them hope--that God can heal their body, mind and soul.
If Jesus were walking the earth today, I don't think He would walk away from this issue just because it's difficult to navigate. I actually think it would be just the opposite. I think Jesus would gravitate toward this issue because of its difficulty and demonstrate that with God, nothing is impossible.
Everyone may not have the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land and trace Jesus' physical footsteps, but in stepping up to the challenge of joining the fight to end HIV/AIDS, we can all walk where Jesus did--with the left out, the lonely, the least and the lost.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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