Bill stared, speechless, across the coffee table at his wife. Their 14-year-old daughter, Rebecca, had just laughed at them as she left the room.
“I know you don’t like calling me ‘Beck,’ but the least you could do is use my right pronouns! Besides, if I tell my school counselor that you won’t, you could be in a lot of trouble.”
Because of his long-time employment with the city, Bill was well aware of the guidelines for all municipal employees regarding respecting gender and related speech. He had read the list of possible discipline and penalties. He felt his chest tighten as he surveyed all the potential consequences of the situation.
Jenny slowly got to her feet and collected her husband’s half empty coffee mug. “Bill,” she sighed, “it’s such a small thing; just tiny words that bother her right now. She’ll probably outgrow it all anyhow. I really don’t see why you’re making so much out of it. Isn’t it a small price for keeping the peace? Do you want to lose your daughter, your job—everything?”
This scenario, scary as it is, is playing out right now in many homes today. Families, friends, coworkers, and most of us are facing the challenge of faithfully loving Christ and people as the LGBTQ+ revolution rolls on. How do we remain steadfast both to God’s Word and the call to humbly engage those who oppose a biblical worldview?