Speak Life

God has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. – 2 Corinthians 3:6

Content warning for abusive situations and self-harm.

One of the last times I worshipped within my former tradition, a minister antagonized me for being queer. He took an unexpected pivot in his sermon and suddenly said, “Women have no business being with women.”

I was part of a small congregation at the time so I knew he was targeting me with his comment.

I wonder if he would have spoken differently if he had known about me cutting myself as a teenager because I thought I could never have a normal life as a queer woman.

I wonder if he would have spoken differently if he had known that his public condemnation would replay in my head as I let people use me sexually and abuse me emotionally.

I wonder if he would have spoken differently if he had known that his words would be part of the reason I traded Bible studies for binge drinking.

I wonder what he would have done differently if he had prioritized saving my life instead of trying to destroy it with doctrine.

That minister thought publicly condemning me was the key to my salvation, yet it almost led to my destruction.

It took me years after that experience to realize there is no gospel that leads to the killing of the soul. The Spirit calls for us to speak the words that set people free, not the words that keep them in their chains.

Prayer

Give me a vocabulary of the new covenant. Where others speak condemnation, help me to speak the healing words of everlasting life.

Stillspeaking Small Group Discussion

About the Author
Marchaé Grair is a spiritual director in training and the Director of Public Relations and Outreach for the Unitarian Universalist Association.