There is a deep longing in every human heart to belong, to be seen, and to be affirmed in all our complexity. Drawing from the story of Riley in the film "Inside Out," we see how each emotion—joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust—plays a vital role in shaping our lives. When Riley’s world is upended by a move to a new city, it is not joy alone that brings healing, but the embrace of sadness and the full spectrum of her emotions. This mirrors our own experiences in unfamiliar spaces, including the church, where the need for belonging and acceptance is profound.
Too often, communities of faith have acted as gatekeepers, deciding who is worthy of inclusion and who is not, especially when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. This is not the way of Christ. Jesus calls us to a radical love that does not demand sameness or conformity, but instead honors the uniqueness of every person. The unity Jesus prays for is not about erasing differences, but about being bound together in love—a love that is messy, sacrificial, and deeply inclusive.
The harm caused by exclusion and judgment is real and lasting. Many have experienced rejection in sacred spaces, and that pain can shape us in ways that are hard to undo. Yet, when we choose to honor every story, every identity, and every emotion, we become a community where healing and wholeness are possible. The rainbow, both as a symbol and as a divine promise, reminds us that God’s love is refracted into countless colors, each one sacred and necessary.
As we celebrate Pride Month, we are reminded that holy equity means making room for every voice and every story. The church’s calling is not to force people into sameness, but to celebrate the diversity of God’s creation. When we gather at Christ’s table, we do so with open arms, affirming that everyone is essential to the body of Christ. May we be the ones who hold up the prism, reflecting God’s radiant love and living out Jesus’ prayer that we may all be one.
Key Takeaways
- True belonging is found not in the suppression of our differences, but in the embrace of our full humanity. When we honor every emotion and every story, we create a space where healing and wholeness can flourish. The church is called to be a place where no one is made to feel like an outsider, but where all are seen as essential. [01:05]
- Exclusion and judgment, especially in the name of God, inflict deep wounds that can last a lifetime. The pain of being told you are "damaged goods" or unworthy of love is not easily forgotten. Our calling is to do little to no harm, always striving to break cycles of rejection and to offer the radical welcome that Christ extends to all. [06:35]
- Jesus’ vision of unity is not about uniformity, but about love that honors difference. He does not call us to be identical, but to be bound together in mutual care and sacrificial service. This kind of love is demanding, requiring us to roll up our sleeves and engage with one another’s real, messy lives. [07:59]
- The rainbow is more than a symbol; it is a divine reminder that God’s light is refracted into many colors, each one sacred. The body of Christ is incomplete without the full spectrum of identities and stories. Holy equity means not special treatment, but the affirmation and dignity of every person, especially those who have been ignored or rejected. [10:57]
- The church’s mission is to reflect God’s radiant love by holding up the prism of diversity and inclusion. We are not called to be gatekeepers, but bridge-builders, making room for every voice and every sacred story. In doing so, we live out the bold calling of Jesus’ prayer: that we may all be one, not in sameness, but in love. [12:58]
YouTube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - The Longing for Belonging
[02:37] - Exclusion and the LGBTQ+ Community
[03:22] - Embracing Vulnerability and Inclusion
[04:20] - The Power of Sadness and Rejection
[04:59] - Stories of Exclusion in Church
[06:01] - Why We Do Church Differently
[06:35] - Personal Story of Harm and Healing
[07:59] - Jesus’ Vision of Unity
[08:46] - The Beauty of Diversity
[09:21] - Holy Equity and Sacred Stories
[10:10] - The Church’s Role: Bridges, Not Walls
[10:57] - The Rainbow as Divine Promise
[11:49] - Pride as Holy Witness
[12:58] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
