Seen and Known

Biblical Passages:

Genesis 19:9–11

⁹ But they replied, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came here as an alien, and he would play the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot and came near the door to break it down. ¹⁰ But the men inside reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. ¹¹ And they struck with blindness the men who were at the door of the house, both small and great, so that they were unable to find the door.

Luke 15:4–7

⁴ “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Reflection

The story of Sodom in Genesis 19 has often been interpreted as a warning, a narrative used to associate queerness with sin and destruction. For many, it has become a symbol of fear, reinforcing the idea that difference leads to rejection. Yet when we look more closely, the story is not about identity, but about violence, power, and the failure to show hospitality.

The misuse of this passage has shifted its meaning, turning it into something it was never meant to be. In contrast, Luke 15 tells the story of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. It is a story of pursuit, of care, and of a love that refuses to give up on those who feel unseen or excluded.

For queer individuals, faith often exists in this tension, between narratives that reject and a deeper longing to be known and loved. The question becomes: which story do we choose to reflect?

God’s posture is not one of distance, but of movement toward. Not condemnation, but restoration. Not exclusion but belonging.

To be seen and known, fully and honestly, is at the heart of both faith and identity. And perhaps that is where we encounter God most clearly, not in judgment, but in the quiet assurance that we are never outside the reach of love.

Prayer:

Loving God, help us to reflect your compassion. Teach us to see others as you do, and to create spaces where all feel known, valued, and safe. Amen.

Author: Lauren Michelle Wickham

About the Author: Lauren Michelle Wickham works across global environments, bringing together strategy, communication, and human-centred perspectives. Her approach to faith is rooted in compassion, clarity, and connection, with a focus on creating space for honest dialogue and deeper understanding across cultures, identities, and lived experiences.