Aliens in America: Day 30

Discerning the Narrow Way 

‘As aliens, live in reverent fear’ (1 Pet. 1:17). 

An election is over, the dust is settling, and most of Hollywood is moving to Canada. The Kingdom of God is still at hand.  

I don’t live in Trump’s kingdom or Kamala’s kingdom; I don’t even live in Chief’s Kingdom. (Okay, maybe a little on game day?) I choose to live in the Kingdom of God. 

Knowing who the King is takes away the threat (real and perceived) of who the president is. Yes, we must navigate everyone’s fallen humanity––some more than others. We can extend grace, knowing it’s been extended to us, and trust that God will make a way.  He always does. 

The history of His faithfulness in my life became evident as I acknowledged His Lordship. In my surrender to Him, He called me to repent of the other gods and goddesses to whom I had bowed. In my same-sex attractions, there were many. Peter’s call to this alien––“Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14)–– meant something to me. 

I bowed to His greater authority. Still, I was tempted to heed the ignorant opinions of others. It is easy to get caught up in the rhetoric.  

Alone in my disordered desires, I felt desperate and confided in a friend for encouragement. He urged me to pursue a relationship with a mutual guy friend who, though Christian, was pursuing ‘gay’ stuff. “God still loves him, Dean, and He will love you, too. You won't be alone!”   

Discernment came as the fruit of surrender to the King. I recognized deception and stood in truth. In choosing His will for my life, He made a way for His will to be realized. Not my will but His be done. 

At times, I have been tempted to follow popular opinion, especially the supposedly Christian voice. Seeking the Lord alongside the DSM staff during this fast, I have grown exponentially in my ability to navigate the truth with discernment and wisdom.  

There have been many opinions to sort out, often based on fear or misinformation—room noise. I’ve asked the Lord to search my heart as I’ve searched His. “Why do I think the way I do?” “Why did I choose this candidate?” “What is the greater truth you have for me in this season?” I have been asking similar questions of the Lord throughout my life. Setting aside time to seek the Lord regarding this challenging election time has brought me peace and clarity.   

It also helps me oversee DSM Care. I am privileged to walk with others looking for God’s will in their lives. The road before them (from around the world) appears narrow and unpopular. I am empowered to remind them that God is in the business of helping us do what seems impossible.  

That is especially true for parents of rainbow-identified kids who hear only the lie that love means embracing every dumb choice their kids make. How great to urge them otherwise—to choose the narrow way of love that leads to life! Just as I did, with a little help from true Christians, including my parents.   

I am no longer swayed by easy, popular options out there. Been there, done that. I’d rather wait on the God who does the impossible. He will when I get out of the way and let Him. He always does. 

‘Jesus, show us how ongoing surrender to You liberates the discernment, wisdom, and power to know Your will and to live it. Free us and those we love from the broad way that leads to destruction; free us for the narrow that leads to life. Thank You for all the men and women who are coming to their senses and finding Your way of escape from worldly solutions.’    

‘Jesus, You are the King, and we are first citizens of Your Kingdom. Would you free us for You in this election season, not to hide but to shine? You’ve always asked nothing less from Your elect whom You have made ‘strangers in a strange land’ (Ex. 2:22). Here we are, a people who don’t know what to do but who look and listen to our King.  

“Father of all holiness, 

guide our hearts to You. 

Keep in the light of Your Truth 

all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief. 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.”’ 

Amen 

Find more about Dean’s work with DSM Care on our website.