As a progressive Christian, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
Nov. 8, I, along with millions in the United States, and a billion more around the globe, were shocked with the results of the presidential election. This will certainly go down in history as a significant moment in America – it feels like a huge shift is going on in our world – and where it ends no one knows. All I know is that I’ve experienced a big shock!
Many of my friends and colleagues are in grief and fear, and some are celebrating. We are a nation that is so divided. There are a lot of hurting people in our country, on both sides. Now, more than ever, we are called to know who we are and whose we are and to rest confidently in that. Nothing can take that away!
On the day after the election, after not being able to sleep very well the night before, I intentionally got up and watched the sunrise (I needed to see the sun rise) on what promised to be another beautiful day here in paradise, clear skies, warm temps, a bird was splashing in the birdbath and flowers were blooming, and I asked God for strength; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!
Through the many uncertainties that feel magnified right now, there are some things I know, and I am holding on to them. I do know this; God’s love for me has not changed. God’s promises for me have not changed. I know that I am called to continue to love God with my heart and strength and soul and to love my neighbor as I love myself. That’s not always easy. As I heard in a prayer last week; it’s hard to hug porcupines and be close to skunks.
Now does this mean we just lay down and are a doormat? Absolutely not! I believe with all of my heart that this is a call to unite, to come together and not just pray pretty prayers and talk, talk, talk, but to act! This is a call to action!
At our vigil on Wednesday night, people gathered to share their hearts in a safe place. Some had just come from work where they had to listen to hurtful words and wondered how safe it was to share their heart experience. Some are afraid of their rights being taken away based on the rhetoric during the endless campaigning. Some had not heard from any of their family members and knew that many of them had voted for someone who has said hurtful things about many marginalized people groups that we represent right here in this room. I know this is not everyone’s experience, thank God for that, and, at the same time, there are many, many hurting people right now.
In the midst of our pain the best thing to do is keep on doing what you’ve normally done. Be yourself. Don’t shy away. Don’t go back in the closet. Let’s encourage each other, pray together, listen to each other, worship together and be present and available.
I like what our interim moderator, Rev. Rachelle Brown, said, “As Christians, we believe that the truth will set us free. We will tell the truth that many people in this country have lost hope. Families, communities and congregations are suffering and economic stability is out of reach. We will tell the truth that racial prejudice is easily turned into fear and then into actions to repress and do violence to individuals and groups. It is more important than ever for us to work toward a society with fairness as a key value. The truth is that we cannot predict the impact of this election locally or globally, but we know there will always be people in a position of vulnerability. MCC commits to standing with those who are oppressed and healing the systems of oppression. We will tell the truth that love is stronger than hate. And MCC will remain committed to our core values of inclusion, community, spiritual transformation and justice.”
Then she closed her comments with, “stay the course.”
In the midst of it all, we have our faith in a God of love who stands on the side of the oppressed. I am confident that love always has the final say. Remember what Martin Luther King said, “The moral arc of justice is long, but it bends toward justice.” Love always gazes toward justice. And I do believe that love will have the final word. We can go high even when the prospects go low.
And I like this quote from The Best Marigold Hotel, “Everything will be alright in the end, so if it is not alright, it is not the end.” Does this take away the pain that some are feeling? No. However, it’s good to laugh, and it’s even better to have hope.
My hope has always been strengthened when it’s tested. Let’s grow stronger! Let’s love deeply! Let’s take our emotions and put them to actions that make a positive difference. Whoever said it was going to be easy? Let’s double down, strengthen our movement and never apologize for who we are and for our rightful place in our great country!
As we have done, we will stand with the marginalized. We will fight for equal rights. We will fight against racism. We will unashamedly proclaim the Good News of God’s unconditional love to all people.
I love Jesus’ closing remarks in Matthew, “And remember, I am with you always… (think on that) … to the end of the age.”
Remember that no vote can take away your dignity and your self-worth. Let’s hold on to our highest values and come together and support each other.
I love you. I’m here for you. Love conquers fear and perfect love casts out all fear. I believe that love will win, and I call on us now to ask where love needs us to be and then let’s go there.
I close with this quote by Rev. Beth Johnson, “Let’s all breathe together, and love the hell out of this world!”
