“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
– Jeremiah 29:11
As we face the weight of uncertainty and fear with the shifting political climate, it is important to remember that our ultimate hope is not in governments or leaders, but in the unchanging love of God. When the world feels hostile and our future seems precarious, the promises of Scripture remain a steadfast anchor for our soul. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), wove us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), and loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). No political decision, no law, and no leader can separate us from the love of God. In Romans 8:38-39, Paul tells us, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Throughout history, people of faith have faced seasons of oppression and fear, yet they found courage in God’s promises. Reflect on the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” As LGBTQ+ Christians, we may encounter challenges, but we are called to hold fast to the infinite hope found in Christ. In moments of despair, consider the Israelites during their captivity in Babylon. Though they were exiled from their homeland, God spoke words of hope through the prophet Jeremiah. Even in a foreign land, God assured them of His plans to give them “a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Similarly, God’s plans for us remain secure, no matter the challenges we face.
What practical steps can we take to nurture hope in this time of anxiety and despair? We can surround ourselves with fellow believers who affirm and support us. Together, we can remind one another of God’s promises and bear each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We should pour out our heart to God, sharing our fears and frustrations. The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” We must remember to practice love and kindness. In the face of hostility, choose to reflect Christ’s love. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
God sees us, knows us, and loves us completely. In moments of fear and hopelessness, He remind us of our faithfulness. He helps us to trust in His plans, even when the future feels uncertain. He surrounds us with His peace, strengthen us with His Spirit, and empower us to reflect on His love to a world in need. We must place our trust in God, knowing that we are the same yesterday, today, and forever. As we move forward, cling to this truth: God’s love is our foundation, and His kingdom cannot be shaken. Whatever comes, Christ walks with us every step of the way.
Joe
The Closet Professor 
January 20th, 2025 at 11:49 am
Joe, I reminded this morning of two different death camp survivors that were a part of my life. One was named Joe and he was a delivery driver for my father’s business. Joe ALWAYS wore short sleeve shirts so that his tattooed number was visible. The second fellow I want to mention was the father of one of my favorite law students. Solomon Wachsberg was 15 when the Nazi’s invaded Poland and he being very fit was put to work building concentration camps in various areas under German/Nazi control. Sol thought he worked on 8 camps…and very early on he was aware that his own family and his friends would be sent to one of these camps to be killed. Knowing that would have overwhelmed me with despair, so I asked Sol what kept him going. He would laugh at this and smile, “Hitler wanted me and all the other Jews dead. I was going to stay alive just to spite him.” And he did just that. He migrated to the US and build a very prosperous business in Houston. His son Simon was a favorite of mine and I can still recall Simon’s joy once they legally changed their name from Waxberg name they were assigned to Wachsberg, the correct spelling..
January 20th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Like the Wachsberg family, the LGBT community needs to proudly show that it is not cowed down in the face of hatred.