21 Jun Coming Home

“Coming out of the closet” is a term that’s often used to describe the process of disclosing one’s sexual orientation to someone else.

In the coming-out process, always remember that you are more than your sexuality.

Shame dies when stories can be told in safe places.

Where is this safe place, you ask?

The Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians 5 that as we bring what is hidden in the dark into God’s light and presence—as we take our secret out of the closet and into the light—the shame that comes with hiding loses its power over us.

Ephesians 5:8-13, The Passion Translation (TPT)
You have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him. Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light! And the supernatural fruits of his light will be seen in you—goodness, righteousness, and truth. Then you will learn to choose what is beautiful to our Lord.

And don’t even associate with the servants of darkness because they have no fruit in them; instead, reveal truth to them. The very things they do in secret are too vile and filthy to even mention. Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul.

After coming out of the closet and coming out into the light, where do we go from here? The moment of coming out is also a decision of coming to terms and seeking acceptance—an acceptance of self, acceptance by our loved ones or acceptance by society.

Some people who come out have positive experiences, but some, unfortunately, do not. While human love is both wonderful and flawed, God’s love is far greater and better.

John 6:37 (TPT)
But everyone my Father has given to me, they will come. And all who come to me, I will embrace and will never turn them away.

Just as the son can come home to his father in the Parable of the Runaway Son, we can come to our Heavenly Father as His beloved child. As the son comes home to his father, the first instinct of his father was not harsh. Instead, in the most loving act a father can do for his son, he called out for his servants to bring the best robe to put it on his beloved son, calling for a feast and a celebration for the prodigal son’s return.

Luke 15:22- 23 (TPT)
“Turning to his servants, the father said, ‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son. Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate.

If we can grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, imagine how our Father rejoices when we come home to Him as His beloved sons and daughters.

So don’t just come out. Come home. The Father is waiting for you.

By Tan Liwen