Did you read the news today about Bishop Jim Swilley?
Reader's Digest version: He is a twice married, father of four, who founded a house of worship near Atlanta in 1985, which has grown into a 'mega-church'. Swilley announced to his family and congregation that he is gay.
What struck me about this story is 'why' he came out and what he was, in his own words, willing to risk by doing so.
It has been startling to follow the recent stories about the growing number of suicides among bullied gay teens. This was the decision point for Swilley.
"I know all the hateful stuff that's being written about me online, whatever," he said. "To think about saving a teenager, yeah, I'll risk my reputation for that."
What do you value enough to take a stand and risk your own reputation?
The simple truth is that we all should know. Often, the difficult part is determining what that 'stand' is.
NASCAR champion and FOX race commentator Darrell Waltrip used to say that you don't know where you stand until you stand up. Our values are what give us the strength to stand up.
Our values are the foundation of our beliefs and actions, if we indeed live into those values. But would you have the strength to stand and risk your friends, family and reputation?
I can't answer that for you, but the stand that Swilley made on his pulpit should make us all take a step back, take stock in our values and clearly see what we'd truly be willing to stand up for - you never know when your time will come (tic-toc).
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