Saturday, July 25, 2020

A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption


A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption by [Becket Cook, Francis Chan]

I am now reading A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption, by Becket Cook. (Cook's website is here.)

The Forward to the book is written by Francis Chan.

Chan writes:

Imagine standing in an open field as a massive hurricane comes raging toward you. Your riches matter very little at that point. No matter how much power or intellect you may have, you are helpless. God equates Himself to a “tempest.” Hebrews explains that we are not dealing with a normal person. He is untouchable. He is a “blazing fire and darkness” all at once. Present day Bible teachers don’t use words like “gloom and a tempest” to describe Him. Many Christians casually speak of how they want to hear His voice, not taking into account that those who had heard Him “[begged] that no further messages be spoken.” We have forgotten that Moses was terrified and “[trembled] with fear.” We are speaking of the “living judge of all,” who dwells in heaven with “innumerable angels” celebrating Him.

Now imagine standing in the presence of a Being with all those attributes and more. Imagine that holy, awesome God declaring you to be His child and loving you as such. Your position as a beloved child of God would become the only identity you care to have.

The world is populated by men and women, like the rich young ruler, who cannot see the true value of God. They refuse to “lose their life” because they consider themselves valuable and God ancillary. Becket’s story is the rare example of a person who gladly let go of everything he had to find a greater life.