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Washed and waiting
"Washed and waiting" is a helpful book. The author, Wesley Hill has produced a thoughtful description of the reality of living with unwanted desires for others of the same sex. The structure of the book strongly connects the stories of individuals with the truths of the Bible. The book is split into 3 sections, each of which begins with a story of a man who has struggled in this way: the first of these stories is Wesley's own. The other two stories are of Henry Nouwen and Gerard Manley Hopkins.
In terms of themes, this book covers well the issues of purpose, hope, loneliness and shame.
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Comments
What a precious gift Wesley Hill has given us in this book. A personal account of his story from childhood and teens into his twenties, wrestling with God over his exclusive same sex attraction.
A man of sharp intellect and an inquiring mind he has focused on this issue for nearly twenty years and we are the beneficiaries of his wide reading on the subject. He quotes the likes of C. S Lewis, W. H. Auden and our own Martin Hallett, but he especially introduces us to Henry Nouwen and Gerard Manley Hopkins articulate and sensitive Christians with SSA, with whom Hill has found particular affinity.
Prompted by a friend’s comment ‘ignoring is not the path to redemption’ he candidly shares his situation with friends and mentors. Their wise answers to his probing questions are presented here for our benefit.
It is a short book and an easy read because of Hill’s conversational and fluid style. It would be great if every TfT member read it. You will find sound theological argument for your stance on purity, good strategies for avoiding falls and great motivation in the last chapter ‘The Divine Accolade’ for your perseverance. God the author is telling a story to the world with your life, especially because of its brokenness. Look therefore to that day when he will welcome you with a smile ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master’.
It is Wesley Hill’s hope that this book will encourage the rest of us to open up our lives to others in the body of Christ. By allowing ourselves to be fully known our loneliness and lack of intimacy can be substituted by the ministry of the church fellowship.
In her ‘Afterword’ to this book Kathryn Greene-McCreight calls upon the Church to care for those with SSA because ‘if one member suffers, all suffer together’
But for that to happen, we all have to follow Wesley Hill’s example.
Read this book and be en-couraged !
TIMOTHY