Devotion: Name Calling

Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." I Samuel 3:10

I was amazed to read the headlines about the gay bishop who prayed at the inaugural celebration on Sunday. I was amazed because Bishop Robinson is actually an Episcopal bishop not a Gay bishop.

Here in the small coastal Massachusetts town where I’m appointed, I suspect that some may think I’m the Gay minister, not the Methodist minister.

Heading into the church this week I heard a loud voice behind me shout, “Hey! You’re gay! You are a HOMOSEXUAL!” Immediately I turned around to see who was yelling at me and realized that it was some kids playing hockey on the frozen pond next to the church. They hadn’t even noticed me but were razzing one another, shoving and saying other rude things at each other as they skated around the ice. (They were probably just flirting…)

I thought for a moment about going over and talking to them. I though for a moment about saying that there are gay people in this neighborhood who don’t want to hear them using those words in a disrespectful way.

But for once I didn’t choose a confrontation. (And this may very well have been a lost opportunity.) But God took the moment to remind me of something. As I stood in the snow outside the church I felt God tell me, “Hey! You’re gay! You are a homosexual! Remember and be thankful for who you are.”

People may call us names but God calls our name. The world may disparage who we are but God can take even our hurt and transform it into an anointing affirmation. 

Instead of talking to the kids this time, I shared this very illustration in the sermon on Sunday. I can almost imagine what some of the gay people in the church thought about it, almost like I can imagine Bishop Robinson reading those headlines. But this message isn’t just for GLBT people, it’s for all God’s people.

For you who have been called other names – because of your race or gender or appearance or any other reason – remember that though people may call you names, God calls your name. 

No matter what response is appropriate at any given time, we need to always ground ourselves in thankfulness for God’s grace and the blessing we know in our identity.

Hey! You’re God’s Beloved!

By Will Green for Grassroots Committee