Micheal Sam 1st Openly Gay player to enter NFL Draft
Earlier this evening Michael Sam (@MikeSamFootball) , SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year publically acknowledged that he was openly gay. This marks the first time that a player who is entering this years NFL Draft coming up in two weeks has "come out" as openly gay. It will also mark the first time that an openly gay NFL player could be on an active team roster.
For a while now the NFL and in fact much of the professional sports world has been moving in this direction. Not long ago a current NBA player, Jason Collins, came out as being openly gay as well. He is a free agent open to sign with any NBA team. As of yet, no team has reached out to sign him.
So, what does this all mean in the world of Youth Ministry? At first glance most people wouldn't see a direct connection between the professional sports world and the world of Youth Ministry. But think about it...how many of our students watch, idolize, and even emulate iconic sports stars? I know in my ministry we have a large group of students that follow sports quite closely.
Does this mean I fear students coming out as gay because of a popular college athlete? Does this mean I will advise against watching the NFL? Not at all. Actually quite the opposite.
Just this morning I was speaking to our students about a mind set that we as believers need to have, especially as young leaders. See, most non-christians are well aware of what "Christians" are against. Walk through a mall and ask anyone you want, "Hey what kind of things really piss Christians off?" and you will get a pretty decent list. Ask the same people, "What are Christians for?" and you will get a remarkably shorter list.
The point is this. When it comes to Faith in Christ I think there is the 1 thing that matters, and then there is everything else. The one thing that matters is simply do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Is he your personal savior? Everything else falls into the category of sanctification.
Here's how I define sanctification. Sanctification is the line that stretches in between where a person is and where God wants them to be. It is not my job nor my responsibility to sanctify anyone...that's up to the Holy Spirit. My role is to simply be present, available and willing to help and support someone through that process provided they want me to.
So, how does this all tie together? It's like this. What Micheal Sam did tonight was something that takes a lot of courage. He is taking the risk of ruining his dream of an NFL career before its even happened. A friend of mine and great man, Sy Rogers once said, "It's not gay people who go to hell, it's people who aren't redeemed. Likewise, it's not straight people who go to heaven, it's those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ.".
In ministry we have an incredible opportunity especially as it concerns students and this story that will likely be talked about extensively in the next few weeks. We have the chance to show students, parents, and all kinds of people what we are for. This is not about pro-gay, pro-rights, or anything like that. This is about being pro-Jesus.
When it comes to people I am someone who believes everyone needs Jesus. I also believe that Jesus has the power to transform lives. Micheal Sam's biggest need isn't heterosexuality, it's Jesus Christ. To be honest, I can't even say factually that he doesn't already have a relationship with Jesus Christ. He very well might. Again, my role isn't to sanctify a person. I know what the Bible says about Homosexuality, sexual immorality, and everything else. Those things are relevant to me, my life, and how I can continue my own path of sanctification. They are not tools, weapons, or bullets to use in pushing someone else through the process of sanctification.
Students already are wrestling with questions about their own sexuality, their friends sexuality, and more. They have concerns, curiosity, and all kinds of other feelings related to this conversation. As the church we are often so quick to shut down and close the door on these topics. We think that if we draw a big line in the sand and tell students there's God's side and then there's the devils side that we've done the right thing.
The truth is by not having open dialogue, by not being empathetic, covered with grace, and striving to always be under the banner of love we are doing so much more harm than good.
I'm reminded of the story of Jesus as he was preaching in the temple when the leaders and teachers of the law brought in a young girl caught in adultery. They reminded Jesus that the law says justice is served through the death of this young girl. When they demanded an answer from him, Jesus knelt down beside the girl and wrote something in the sand. After standing back up he turned to the crowd, now an angry mob with stones in their hands ready to end this young girls life, and he said, "Whoever is without sin, let him be the first one to throw". See, Jesus knew what the Bible says. He knew that justice called for the most severe of consequences. He didn't argue that the girl wasn't in the wrong, that she hadn't made a mistake, or that she didn't deserve what was coming. What Jesus did was incredible. In a moment where biblical justice was being demanded Jesus called for grace and gentleness to prevail.
I doubt that Michael Sam will ever read this, but if he did I would want him to know this: Michael, you are not defined by choices, preferences, or labels that others may place on you. You are not defined by your play on the field, your college, or even the NFL team you will likely play for. You are not defined by your past, your family, or your history. Micheal, you are defined in this way, Jesus looks at you and calls you, "mine". You are created by God, in his image and are given a purpose. You are not Micheal Sam, Gay Football player. You are simply, Micheal Sam.
My prayer is that this would be our message to students. You are not defined by what the world would say. You are defined by your creator, and he has called you his! Oh, that you would know what life is like to call your father in heaven "mine" and to know that he calls you the same.
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