On The Day After The Election

As I am writing this on Election Day, I am going to do so in hopes that there is a definitive end to the election, and that we are not looking at weeks and weeks of bitter shenanigans and more division.  I hope.  

The election is over.  I have known all along that there would be people I know and care about, who would wake up today and think the Apocalypse had come.  

I also knew that there would be people I know and care about, who would be rejoicing.  

Today I am reaching out both to those who are full of rejoicing this morning, and to those who are filled with dread, anxiety, and sadness.  

First, to those who feel as though the world has come to an end.  It hasn't.  

The sun rose outside my window.  Creation still speaks of the glory of God.  Jesus has still risen.  The fact that your candidate of choice didn't win doesn't change who you are, and more importantly who you are in the eyes of God.  

But if you must mourn, don't try to suppress it.  Mourn today, and then gather your strength tomorrow to be renewed in the Spirit as you take up once again the work of embodying the kingdom of God on earth.  

Which is your first and most important responsibility, quite honestly.  

To those of you who are filled with joy today, and are tempted to gloat.  Don't.  Act with humility, and let your speech be filled with grace and peace.  Embrace the advice given by the Apostle Paul to "Consider the needs of others ahead of your own."  

This is not a moment to be triumphant, it's a moment to remember that you are blessed when you act as a peacemaker.  And remember that it is God who is sovereign, not you. 

Your calling today is to reach out to those who are wounded and reeling and demonstrate the love of Christ.   

Here's something true, though.  You and I have work to do to be reconciled to those with whom we disagree.  Many of us have said and done things during these past months that we are probably not proud of---if we are willing to admit it. We need to repent, and seek reconciliation. 

One of the passages of Scripture that was part of my readings this morning just happened to be Psalm 133.  The first two verses jumped out at me: 

1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

My prayer for all of us today is that we tear our attention away from the pundits and the politicians and do something different for a change.  

Let's push back against the endless cycle of news and noise and fix our eyes on Jesus, whose greatest prayer to the Father was that his followers would be "one."   

It's time to lift up our heads and join our hearts together as we step into the task of discovering new ways to be unified despite the fact that we are not uniform.  

It's time for us to discover unity in our diversity, and to find common ground in the shattered earth that has given way during our battles.  

Presidents come and go.  Politicians have their moments in the sun.  Elections happen and then we move on.  In spite of the tenuous nature of all of it, the one thing that remains steadfast and firm is the love that God has for you and me and all of Creation.  

God's love never changes... never wavers... never leaves or forsakes us.  Know this and be at peace.  

Beloved, may the grace and peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.  

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