The Choice
The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.
Every so often I like to poke Christians with a pointy stick to see how they react. To make them think about their faith and their relationship to others. This is one of those days. It is a story called simply The Choice.
“That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day. She would get only one chance to make an impression. To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care. Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital. She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make. Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly. I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
“Still I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that. That is why I have asked to speak to you. To give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
All of my life I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body.
That being said I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly. I also have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
For a little over three years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew. If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been this difficult burden. He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am. A child of God, who knew me, according to the Psalmist, in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am. In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability. After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered, then pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.” He said. “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
Question.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus, would you accept Margaret Elizabeth as she is?
Would you show her love?
How would you vote?
Why would you vote that way? What scriptural basis do you have?
Do you think your church congregation would accept her as a person?
Would your church congregation vote to take her on to its pastoral staff?
Please think about it.
The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.
Every so often I like to poke Christians with a pointy stick to see how they react. To make them think about their faith and their relationship to others. This is one of those days. It is a story called simply The Choice.
“That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day. She would get only one chance to make an impression. To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care. Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital. She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make. Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly. I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
“Still I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that. That is why I have asked to speak to you. To give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
All of my life I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body.
That being said I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly. I also have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
For a little over three years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew. If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been this difficult burden. He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am. A child of God, who knew me, according to the Psalmist, in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am. In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability. After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered, then pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.” He said. “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
Question.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus, would you accept Margaret Elizabeth as she is?
Would you show her love?
How would you vote?
Why would you vote that way? What scriptural basis do you have?
Do you think your church congregation would accept her as a person?
Would your church congregation vote to take her on to its pastoral staff?
Please think about it.
