Being both gay and Christian, we often feel the pull of two very different cultures, each telling us how we should live.  And though we strive to live holy, Christ-centered lives, there are times when it seems impossible not to identify with the "me-first" mentality that permeates the mainstream gay community.

There is no question that gay people have been treated badly in our society, both in and out of the church.  It is in response to this treatment that we find ourselves wanting to say to the rest of the world, "I'm not going to care what you think of me anymore!  I'm going to live the way I want to live, and I'm going to have Pride in Myself!"  This is the response of the secular gay community, and it is the reason for such flamboyant displays in Gay Pride marches and the like.

Essentially, the secular gay community says, "Be yourself in all situations.  Don't worry about how anyone else feels about it.  If they're offended, too bad."

But as Christians, we are (as usual) called to something greater than this.  We are God's abassadors to the world, and that means we must be willing to change and adapt ourselves to the different situations we find ourselves in.  We must be willing to put aside our own freedoms -- although they are our freedoms -- in order to reach others with the love of God, whether those "others" are strict fundamentalists or party-loving secular gays.

As you read the following passage, notice how the issues Paul dealt with almost 2000 years ago are remarkably similar to the ones we deal with today as gay Christians.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV)

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Spend some time in prayer on this passage today.  Ask God to show you specific ways you can change your actions to apply this in your life.