Daily Devotional: Down But Not Destroyed

Hello, wonderful friends! Glad to see you again! Today, we're exploring the daily devotional with a brief, uplifting thought designed to bring a little sunshine to your day.  Dive into 2 Corinthians 4:8-13 in your preferred Bible translation, and notice what resonates with you as you read.

Here’s the essence of the passage:

We’re surrounded by difficulties, but we’re not broken. We face confusion, but we’re not disheartened. We encounter harassment, but we’re not deserted. We may be knocked down, but we’re not out for the count.

We bear the marks of Jesus’ death in our bodies so that His life can be evident in us. Even though we’re constantly handed over to challenges for the sake of Jesus, His life is still revealed in our mortal bodies. While death is at work in us, life is flourishing in others.

We share the same faithful spirit as described in Scripture: “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and so we speak.

The early Christians’ story is one of incredible resilience. They endured persecution from the Roman Empire and faced misunderstandings from the Jewish community they were departing from. The LGBTQ+ community’s story mirrors this resilience. We encounter outright hostility at times, and more subtle judgments at others. Yet, we also experience joy, acceptance, and celebration.

This passage from 2 Corinthians speaks directly to our experience.

We face adversity, but it doesn’t defeat us.

We may be confused, but we persist.

We encounter harassment, yet we support each other.

We get knocked down—both physically and spiritually—but we keep going.

Despite our struggles, we’re not immune to suffering. At times, we are defeated, crushed, or deeply saddened. This reality is also part of our journey.

We’re familiar with loss.

During the early AIDS epidemic, nearly an entire generation of gay and bisexual men was lost. We carry this weight in our lives.

The burden of an unsupportive society can be overwhelming. Tragically, some in our community take their own lives in response. We carry this weight, too.

Transgender individuals face disproportionate violence simply for being who they are. We refuse to accept this violence or forget the victims; instead, we act and remember. We carry this reality as well.

And yet…

We possess that “faithful spirit.” Have you ever attended a Pride parade, a dyke march, or a Trans Day of remembrance ? Have you been part of a queer support group, a gay wedding or LGBT+ gathering? These events showcase our unwavering spirit: love, joy, resilience, community, and commitment.

We’ve faced profound challenges but have refused to be overwhelmed because we understand the heights of joy we can achieve together. Like the early Christians, we have faith in the unseen. We believe “another world is possible.”

When you come out, you had faith, and so you spoke.

When you discuss your transition with your doctor, you had faith, and so you spoke.

When you challenge your employer for discrimination, you had faith, and so you spoke.

When you create community and family in your own way, you had faith, and so you spoke.

That’s what the LGBTQ+ community does: we, too, have faith, and so we speak.

Reflection Questions:

What in your life today once seemed impossible?

Is there a truth about yourself that you’re keeping hidden? Who could you share this with?

Practical Exercises:

Create an “impossible list”: jot down big, audacious dreams that feel unattainable. Keep them in mind; maybe one day they’ll become reality.

Find an LGBTQ-inclusive church nearby or one with an online community. Attend a service or join a small group. Need help finding one? Check out Melbourne Inclusive Church.

Mark November 20 on your calendar for Transgender Day of Remembrance. Find a service to attend and honour the day.

That concludes today’s devotional! I hope this message has added a touch of positivity to your day. If you found it meaningful, please consider liking this video and subscribing for more inspiration. Thank you for joining us today—celebrate your uniqueness and stay positive until we meet again!

Footnotes:
Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of Treasure in Clay Jars). Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4
Image Title: "Radiant Jar" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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