Elizabeth Woning has a remarkable story that intertwines her journey of faith, sexuality, and her understanding of God. As a former openly lesbian woman who pursued seminary, she has navigated the complexities of reconciling her sexuality with her faith -- and how the gospel of Jesus has the power to truly change us.
Elizabeth's Background: A Journey of Faith and Identity
Elizabeth begins by recounting her story, starting in her late 20s and early 30s when she attended seminary. After coming out as a lesbian in her early 20s, she moved to a major city and immersed herself in the LGBTQ+ community. Her decision to pursue seminary was driven by a desire to follow her heart and engage with the gay-affirming church movement. Graduating from a PC(USA) seminary, she transitioned from urban life to a rural setting in the Bible Belt, where she served in a small Presbyterian church focused on youth ministry.
A Pivotal Experience: Encountering God in a New Way
While in her new role, Elizabeth was invited to a local youth gathering led by a charismatic Pentecostal pastor. This experience was unlike anything she had encountered before, characterized by expressive worship and a palpable sense of the Holy Spirit. During the event, a 17-year-old boy approached her with what he described as a "word from the Lord," addressing a specific pain she had been grappling with for years. This moment sparked a profound realization for Elizabeth: if God could know her so intimately, then perhaps her understanding of Him was limited.
Reevaluating Faith and Identity: A Two-Year Journey
This encounter prompted Elizabeth to embark on a two-year journey of reevaluating her beliefs and understanding of God. She began highlighting passages in the Bible that described God's nature, shifting her focus from seeking personal validation to understanding who God truly is. This process led her to confront her self-rejection and question her identity as a woman, particularly in relation to traditional femininity and motherhood.
Elizabeth reflects on her previous alignment with feminist queer theology, which often emphasized masculine expressions of sexuality. She began to wonder if this perspective was limiting her understanding of womanhood and her relationship with God. This introspection led her to explore the formative experiences that shaped her identity and to consider how God might redefine her understanding of herself.
The Role of God in Identity Formation
As Elizabeth deepened her relationship with God, she recognized that her previous beliefs about lesbianism and feminism had become core aspects of her identity. However, as she experienced God's love and affirmation, she felt compelled to reassess these beliefs. The realization that her lesbian identity might be hindering her communion with God prompted her to embark on a journey of repentance and exploration.
Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of experiencing God as a living, relational being rather than adhering to a mere philosophical framework. She describes how her previous subjective worldview limited her understanding and left her grappling with unanswered questions. In contrast, her encounters with God provided a sense of purpose and stability that transcended her struggles with mental health and identity.
The Transformative Power of God's Love
Elizabeth's journey illustrates the transformative power of experiencing God's love. She describes how this love became central to her identity, leading her to reevaluate everything she believed about herself. The desire for a deeper communion with God outweighed her attachment to her previous identity, making it difficult to justify holding onto beliefs that limited her spiritual growth.
The conversation highlights the dynamic difference between a philosophical approach to faith and a relational experience with God. Elizabeth emphasizes that the latter offers a sense of truth and stability that subjective philosophies cannot provide. Her experiences with God became undeniable, leading her to confront the implications of His existence and the reality of His love.
The desire for a deeper communion with God outweighed her attachment to her previous identity, making it difficult to justify holding onto beliefs that limited her spiritual growth.
Navigating Life-Dominating Issues
Elizabeth also addresses the challenges faced by individuals grappling with life-dominating issues, such as sexual identity. She cautions against approaching God solely as a means to overcome these struggles, as disappointment can lead to a crisis of faith. Instead, she advocates for a holistic understanding of God that encompasses love, acceptance, and the transformative potential of a relationship with Him.
Practical Steps for Those on a Similar Journey
For those questioning their sexuality or struggling with brokenness, Elizabeth offers practical steps to begin this journey:
Surrender: Allow God to see you authentically. Confront the belief that you were born a certain way and be open to hearing God's narrative about your life.
Scripture Immersion: Approach the Bible with a mindset that places God’s beauty, power, and authority at the forefront. Seek to understand who God is rather than seeking personal validation.
Vulnerability and Honesty: Create safe environments for conversations by modeling vulnerability and honesty in interactions with God and others.
Reflect on Personal Experiences: Before engaging with others, reflect on your own journey with the Lord and how His love has impacted you.
Intercession and Prayer: Support those struggling by embodying the graciousness of the Lord and interceding on their behalf.
Conclusion: A Message of Hope
Elizabeth's story serves as a reminder of the importance of self-acceptance, the relational nature of God, and the ongoing journey of understanding one's identity in light of faith. Through her journey, she encourages others to seek a deeper communion with God, recognizing that true identity and purpose are found in Him.
For pastors, family members, or friends of those who are struggling, Elizabeth advises starting with your own journey and reflecting on your experiences with the Lord. By embodying the graciousness of the Lord, you can create a supportive environment for those who are struggling.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing your insights and experiences. For more information about Elizabeth's work and the resources she offers, visit the Changed Movement website. We hope this conversation has provided you with valuable insights and encouragement on your journey toward wholeness in Christ. We look forward to seeing you next time on the Pure Sex Radio program.
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