I love that we are a purple church. Because it means that I have developed deep and meaningful relationships with Christians who are kind, faithful, generous, compassionate, and extraordinarily loving. And some of them vote Republican and some Democrat. However, it makes it a bit challenging at a moment like this. I want to comfort, console, and encourage those who feel discouraged after their candidate lost the presidential election by a significant national margin. And I want to honor and cherish those who feel hopeful again because of the election results.
I’m aware that our church’s gothic stone facade sits in a so-called blue bubble amid two red states. So, while many of our neighbors, friends, co-workers and fellow Christians are rejoicing to see our President-elect implement new policies to make America great, others in our community are worried that he is a threat to democracy and many sacred ideals. I suspect that all of us admire and love someone who voted differently than us. Or maybe someone who opted out of voting altogether.
Recognizing that some are grieving and some are celebrating, we now have the same calling and same goal. Something higher than civic duty summons our attention and loyalty. God calls us to embody the law of love and the character of Christ. The Biblical prophets help us to juxtapose our politics with faith. In multiple stories, the prophets are the conscience of the political society.
The prophet Isaiah dares to articulate God’s vision during a time of national upheaval. In the Bible, kings and nations rise and fall. But God never falters. God accompanies them through the valleys. God summons them to faithful love for all creation, especially the poor and marginalized. God never hesitates to stand with them in life’s stalls of muck or pull them through into a new day with radical compassion. God’s grace always forgives and always prevails; inviting them to move forward on the promise of faith. As Psalm 146 guides us:
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.
I’m praying for you, and for our nation; I pray that God’s will might be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Grace and Peace,
Carla
