By CK Persons
What gets you out of bed in the morning? (Or, what/who keeps you in bed in the morning?) What do you view as your purpose in life? What’s your mission?
Some answers may spring to mind immediately: my alarm clock, the bright sun, or more significantly, my kids, my job (or, passionate love-making with my partner!). Responses are perhaps just that simple and straightforward. But it is not unusual to ponder – and think, talk, pray about – one’s mission, and even to do so for years.
According to Luke’s gospel, Jesus would have clearly been an adult (many scholars say about 30 years old) when he – at least publicly – stated his mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).
Ok, rather lofty, but in essence his mission was to promote freedom and healing – particularly among those most in need. Such a mission is by no means the only viable one, but it ain’t too shabby. After all, who among us does not need to grow in freedom and need healing from something? We all have attachments – appearance, status, relationships, chemicals, etc. – and there is no shortage of sickness – in mind, body and soul – in our wounded world. Needs for freedom and healing abound.
What does this mission talk of freedom and healing have to do with kinky sexuality? For starters, many kinksters have been (or are) hampered by shame; and shame, which can require deep emotional healing, is a huge obstacle to freedom. To help rid the world of shame is quite a mission itself. Consenting adults should also have the freedom to practice their sexuality in creative ways, most especially when the goal is deeper bonds of love and intimacy between persons. Not surprisingly, profound connections heal us humans at our cores. To promote such sexual freedom is another meaningful life mission. Increasing freedom from shame and allowing for intimate encounters will do nothing but improve our world.
We all have to discern – and live out – our own authentic, personal missions, but finding ways to promote freedom and healing in our lives, in the lives of our partners and others not only shares in the mission of Jesus but also benefits everyone involved as well.
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