Some Thoughts About the Marriage Debate

This week we will hear arguments presented to the US Supreme Court which will, most likely, settle the legality of same-sex marriage once and for all. So far the justices are predictably divided – 3 for the traditional view; 3 for revision; Justice Kennedy  providing the swing vote.  Two cases are under consideration here: The Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8, voted into place by California voters in 2008 as a defense of traditional marriage. Whatever the outcome, there’ll be anguish and elation, simultaneously, nationwide.

Personally, I’ll be shocked if the court doesn’t vote in favor of same sex marriage, officially ushering in a new era with untold ramifications. But even if I’m wrong, no doubt America will see homosexual marriage ratified, if not now, then soon. It’s impossible for even the most hopeful traditionalist to deny the trends, and they run decidedly in favor of revising, rather than maintaining, the status quo.

What to do?

My family and I are committed more than ever to being about our Father’s business. Yes, we’re sad, and sure, we fear for the future of a nation openly rejecting the God who so hugely blessed it. But when Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) He was speaking quite literally. The joy that was set before Him had little to do with this world’s current state, but rather with the world to come, where God and His principles will reign, unquestioned, once and forever. So for now, if everyone from my President to my Supreme Court Justices to major religious leaders all say black is now white, white is thereby black, and anyone who disagrees is dangerous, well, I don’t have to join them. Nor do I need to tremble before their dedication to foolishness. Rather, I need to look at the responsibilities my Lord has put in my hands, and attend to them like a good steward.

I have my own marriage to attend to, loving my wife sacrificially and being the partner she deserves.

I’ve a grown son, and one I’m still raising (hopefully well) and hopefully teaching him to do the same.

I have my own neighbors to love, serving them practically and communicating the Good News to them as wisdom and circumstance allow. And I have my own calling to fulfill, a calling not given by nor dependent upon cultural trends; a calling I’ll surely answer for when I stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

So I guess I’m busy. I know you are, too. Too busy, in fact, to wring our hands over decisions made by fellow citizens, elected leaders and appointed justices. Mind you, I’m not calling for inaction. In fact, now, more than ever, I think we need to turn our collective efforts towards securing freedom of speech and religion regarding human sexuality, two freedoms we will undoubtedly see threatened as current trends continue.

But responsible action and fear-based stress are certainly two different things. I’m sorry for what we’re seeing, sure, because we’re seeing nothing less than a dismantling of boundaries and definitions God instituted, and the arrogance behind that dismantling will carry, for some, a terrifying price in this life and the next.

And yet, as my beloved Alfred E. Newman used to grin on the cover of MAD Magazine, “What, Me Worry?” Because what looks like midnight in America will dissolve, perhaps very soon, into a morning we’ve talked about for decades and hope more than ever to see. And that’s a promise that’s non-negotiable, not up for vote, and can never be legislated away.

We’re citizens of a nation devolving before our eyes. But we’re also captured by exceeding great and precious promises, whereby, as Peter said, we’ve been made partakers of the divine nature. (II Peter 1:4)

Divine. Above and beyond political affiliations and trends, everlasting and holy.

With that in mind, may we never be indifferent. But may we always be at peace.