Christ's love for you is unshakable.

Dearly Beloved,

I know it’s hard sometimes to hear people talk about being gay as something to be ashamed of. I know all too well.

I grew up being taught that gay people can’t be Christians, that they are sinners who need to repent. So even though I knew I was gay, I chose to keep this part of me hidden for a long time. But recently, as I looked into what the Bible actually says (and doesn’t say), I realized that what I believed was based on what people told me — not my own study of scriptures. I now know that I am not broken. That God made me just as I am!

It breaks my heart to think about what you may be going through right now.

As a dad of two teenage daughters who mean the world to me, I ache when I think about any child being shamed or harmed in any way. I know I don’t know you, but I really do care about what you’re going through.

If I did know you, I would run to you and tell you that you are beloved JUST AS YOU ARE. Christ’s love for you is unshakable, and there’s literally NOTHING in heaven or earth that could ever get in it’s way:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).

I’d also tell you that no matter what people might say or how hard it gets, please don’t ever let go of God’s love for you. Always, always open up your heart and allow God to love you deeply and completely — even when it’s hard to love yourself.

I hope someday you’ll discover that embracing your identity as an LGBTQ Christian can enrich your walk with Jesus. Until then, I pray that you will continue to learn more about Jesus, deepen your faith in Him, and rest in His goodness.

Remember, He began a GOOD WORK in you, and He will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

Your brother in Christ,

Jun Young

@youngtimes