I’ll start by saying I’m aware this post is a touchy subject. I am quite certain I will offend someone out there. That’s not my intention, and I’ll try to articulate my feelings the best way I know how, but I’m realistic enough to know someone will disagree. Despite the difficulty of the subject matter at hand, I think this should be shared. I think it will contain the golden nugget I’m trying to get across. I pray so.
I’ll start by saying I’m a huge fan of American Idol. I’ve watched it for a decade or so, and even though there’s been a lot of changes, I’m still a fan. I love to sing. I love to hear people sing. I love to get all emotional and cry when people’s dreams come true. So it’s kind of a no-brainer that I’d love this show.
When I began watching this season’s show I was introduced to a young woman by the name of M.K. Nobilette. I’ll be quite honest. Upon first seeing Ms. Nobilette I made an assumption on her sexual orientation right away. Maybe that’s not the best way to do things, assuming you know someone based on their appearance, but often times appearances are not deceiving in the least. Often times things are exactly as they seem. Regardless, my assumption was quickly verified as accurate when M.K. openly spoke of her relationship preference for other women. Everyone was quite proud of her ability to speak out about being gay, the judges included, and much fanfare accompanied her “brave” decision. And I’ll admit, it was quite brave. But like me, we all kind of knew already, right?
I’ll just come right out bravely myself and tell you how I feel. To be completely honest with you all I do not agree with her lifestyle choice. As a reader of the Bible and believer in its Word, I do believe homosexuality is a sin. There, I said it. But before you burn me at the stake, please keep reading. Whatever my personal opinion and belief on the matter, that’s not what this post is about. This post is so much more.
I’ll go ahead and tell you I’m going to reveal my inner thoughts, ones that are not the best picture of who I want to be in my humble opinion. I do this, this transparency of self, for a purpose, to get my central point across and what I believe God spoke to my heart.
So here goes. I was watching my DVR of American Idol last night and caught the girl finalists episode. (I haven’t watched the guys yet, so don’t spoil it for me.) Anyway, I had the pleasure, yes, I said pleasure of hearing M.K. Nobilette perform. First off, over all I was disappointed in the ladies. No one was really that great. They were good, but not amazing. Not like I expect of American Idol finalists. Then along came M.K.
My first thought… Pleasant. She reminded me of Annie Lennox, who I always enjoyed in the past. But at the time I mostly thought, “She is not that great.” I continued to watch and saw the judges and crowd reacting. I felt infuriated, Oh please! They’re going to say she was amazing because she’s a lesbian, so none of the gay rights folks get pissed! This was what I thought.
And they did. They poured out the praise. I felt my blood boiling as I looked at her, this obvious lesbian gushing under the compliments!
Then I stopped. She looked so nice. I could almost see a light radiating from her. I looked at that girl with her short hair and boyish style of dress and I admitted to myself, she can sing. She actually did really well.
And I felt conviction, conviction from my God, my Heavenly Father who just so happened to be her Heavenly Father too. I prayed silently, oh dear Lord, forgive me!
I was judging a stranger simply because I thought I could. I didn’t agree with her lifestyle choice (one that while it may rank in the Bible as a sin, sits right beside drunkenness, adultery, and sexual immorality). I didn’t agree with her sin yet I was guilty of committing in the past a couple of those myself.
It went beyond hating sin or standing up for my beliefs. I was judging a young woman where she stood as being unworthy and less than myself. That hurts folks! It hurts to see that ugly in me because I know it hurts Him. As I looked at that blushing young lady on the stage I realized she performed with a beautiful God given talent. My God, He loved her. How could I not love her too?
I think you can disagree with someone or something, but when that mutates to ugly judgement, looking down your nose at someone for their choices, then it’s not simple opinions, beliefs, or disagreement. It’s judgmental hate.
How do you welcome people into the family of Christ? Is it by instantly proclaiming, “You are wrong. I am right. If you don’t become like me then you can’t be in the family.”
I don’t think that will work. I don’t think it will make people want to learn more about the family name. Now before you become fanatically angry with my blasphemy or call me a heretic, give me a minute to expound.
I do believe in teaching the Bible, God’s Word, what I believe details the guidance He has given for our behavior as He desires for our lives here on earth. I believe in right and wrong. I believe it’s black or white, not shades of gray. But I also believe in love.
If anything I speak is not in love then I am wrong and I will not be heard, or if I am it will resemble a clanging cymbal. Sound familiar? (1 Corinthians 13:1).
If I approach my sister with judgement she will turn and not hear me. Not only that, I will have sinned against her. God help me.
If I could speak with M.K. Nobilette, what would I say? Would I tell her she is wrong, that her lifestyle choice is a blatant sin? I think first off I might need to say, “I’m sorry.” I would have to apologize for my judgment, my hate, my hypocritical ideals of her life compared to my own.
I would like to tell her, “I’m glad we’re sisters in Christ.” And perhaps even, “I love you sis.”
You won’t gather souls for Jesus like it’s a scavenger hunt, searching for sinners and telling them to repent or else. It just doesn’t work well that way. Especially not now-a-days. Love must proceed everything else or nothing else will work. It won’t stick.
God will convict. As people grow in a relationship with The Lord they learn of His statutes. They desire to follow His laws as they grow to love Him, as He speaks His truth. And yes, sometimes, a lot of the time, it’s our job as Christians to teach that truth and foster it. But first must come love!
Without it there is nothing else.
Sorry M.K. Maybe we could sing a duet sometime. I hear you like the soundtrack to The Little Mermaid. It so happens I know every word!
Lauren says
Thank you for this! MK is a kind and humble person and is an acquaintance of mine here in San Francisco. Thank you for appreciating her ability as an artist regardless of lifestyle. Keep voting so she can continue to grace us with her vocal prowess each week!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for the comment Lauren. Glad to know this post has made it to San Francisco. I think MK did amazing this week! So proud of her!
Denise says
I came across this link on Pinterest and was truly moved by your words. Though I happen not to agree with your beliefs about homosexuality, it still brought tears to my eyes. I must say, the most touching “confession” I have heard and I wish all people (including myself) could see that we ALL fall short and it’s not our place to judge someone because they sin differently. Really, a beautiful article. Thank you.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for commenting and for the compliment of the post. Even if we disagree you saw exactly what I was trying to say. So thank you. I wish everyone could truly not judge their fellow man. That’s a tough one to tackle, but I can always hope. I fall short in so many ways but God loves me. He loves us all. And that’s the point. Thanks again!