What metaphor would you use to describe the relationship between your spirituality and your sexuality?
In a recent series of dialogues, “Speaking the truth in love”, IAM shared our findings from recent interviews conducted with faith leaders on how they experienced this relationship. For most of the participants in the research, and those who participated in our first dialogue, this has been both a sacred and complex journey of integration.
One of the striking metaphors used was the sign of the cross drawn on Ash Wednesday. This symbol of being marked with ash on one’s forehead, accompanied with the phrase “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”, speaks to the frail human condition, and our dependency on God.
For this participant, the intersecting of the two lines to form a cross represented both the public and the private ways that sexuality and spirituality can be accompanied by struggle and suffering. This cross, resembling a plus sign, signifies that this integration adds richness to one’s life.
Despite pain, exclusion, suffering, and loss in navigating sexuality and spirituality, the cross signifies Christ’s promise to accompany us through it all. It promises restoration and strength emerging from vulnerability.
Addressing how individuals embrace or integrate their sexuality as people of faith evokes a range of emotions, often described as a journey from fear and shame toward greater wholeness and reconciliation. Ultimately, it remains an ongoing journey, accompanied by great joy in deepening self-understanding and relationship with God.
As we enter Lent, we can remember that we can live our faith in our bodies. Lent brings us a promise and an invitation – that being transformed carries hope. Despite the ashes of suffering, we look towards everything that is added to our lives through the cross.
As we let go of that which no longer animates us, and brings us wholeness, we are able to embrace the fullness of everything that Christ’s own embodiment makes possible.
May you carry the hope of resurrection in your body as you live out your faith this Lent +++
For more information about our dialogue series, visit https://iam.org.za/speakingthetruth-2/ or email louis@iam.org.za
