Apostolic Courage
Author: Andrew Comiskey
June 28, 2021
Pride Month winds down on
the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29th). Afflicted by
weakness, both surrendered to the One who transformed their infidelity to
fierce love, nothing short of the power that brings heaven to earth.
On Peter’s Rock, Paul
declared to Timothy: ‘The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that
through me the proclamation might be completed…’ (2T 4:17) And to the
Ephesians, St. Paul declared one of the most prophetic declarations for our
time: ‘For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God’ (Acts
20:27). Yet we do hesitate; few today amplify that full-orbed proclamation of
Jesus Crucified and Raised to subjects of the rainbow kingdom.
Powerbrokers throughout
the world spout a counterfeit gospel for persons unravelling due to a lost
vision of their sexual humanity. Biden and team just urged all American embassies
to fly a rainbow flag. (Really.) Mouthing platitudes, these deceived
influencers bar the vulnerable from Reality. Only Jesus can break the back of
disordered desire and identity and secure the wounded in unfailing love.
Might we invoke the Spirit
of Peter and Paul’s Gospel in this hour? Might we courageously rouse ourselves
to see and summon our loved ones back to the only One who loves them fully? He
knows who He created, and He alone has power to remake us into robust
representatives of Himself, male and female. Our freedom hinges on becoming
beloved daughters of the Father, and valiant sons.
We must rouse our faith
communities to become dynamic sites of such reconciliation. A slumbering Church
hesitates and is evangelized by the world; a courageous Church transforms the
world (and her broken members) under Jesus’ Almighty, merciful headship.
Courageous love infused us
last week at our Living Waters Training in Kansas City. All rallied with
expectancy. We are the vulnerable and the discerning—we know the world is
becoming a foreboding place for any who seek sexual wholeness and who offer it
to others. Jesus did not disappoint. The large number of young adults (many
late teen and twenty-somethings), robust ecumenism, and a consistently high
level of Holy Spirit power to heal resulted in miracles of integration. On the
last night, witnesses declared the full Gospel as they described the delivering
work Jesus had done in their depths, through His members.
God endows us with power
through the witness of apostolic courage. Saints Peter and Paul faced
opposition at every turn; at every turn, Jesus empowered them to proclaim the
full Gospel, signs and wonders following. We proceed on their path. Saints
Peter and Paul, pray for us!
Bless and thank you all
for your ongoing love and support of Desert Stream Ministries. Annette and I
just celebrated our 40th Anniversary and are now embarking on a
3-month sabbatical. Please pray that we will renew together as we reflect on
and savor our rich history of love. We shall return in September, ready for a bright
future of proclaiming the full Gospel.
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