Review: Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality

Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was given this book to read by a student of mine, who had to read it as a textbook for a class. It's not a long read and overall is pretty engaging! I appreciate what Wesley brings to the table with this little, but important, book. One of the biggest weaknesses recently in the church as a whole in balancing grace with truth when it comes to people with same-sex attraction, is that we don't do a good job of providing people who are same-sex attracted with the kind of community, compassion, and relationship that EVERY person needs, regardless of their sexual attraction. In other words, we have two sides at hand: 1) the side that everyone who even is mildly sexually attracted to others of same sex deserve judgment and are condemned already; and 2) the side that everyone is welcome to live and do whatever they want because Jesus has freed them from any kind of standard by which they should live. I consider myself a member of the sojourners in the middle of this spectrum. Yet it's in this middle camp, that people who are same-sex attracted feel excluded, ignored, and down right lonely. Wesley writes from the perspective of the same-sex attracted who understand and live their lives in active submission, as a living sacrifice, slaying the desires that surround them on an altar in exchange for something much better, the lordship of Jesus. Though they are sexually attracted to those of the same sex, they do not act on these desires. Wesley describes the loneliness he has felt (and quotes a number of other people in the same boat) due to the fact that though people like him agree with the historical Biblical position regarding homosexuality, the church doesn't know what to do with them and how to include them in as a genuine part of the family. I had hoped to gain a better sense of empathy by reading this book, and because of Wesley's great writing style and humble heart, I believe I have the workings of just that! I truly hope I'll be able to continue on this journey, growing in a way that will help me to see people beyond what 'sin' they wrestle with, to the inner drive/pain that they are so deeply enduring all alone. By God's grace I hope to become more and more like the hands and feet of Jesus that He desires all of us to be! Thank you Wesley for helping and contributing to the greater furtherment of His kingdom!

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