This week are the mid-term elections and I don’t know about you but I feel like they have been more cantankerous than typical. I read some of the attacks on Rev. Adam Hamilton running in Kansas and they made me nauseous as people accused him of causing the split in our denomination and other horrible and untrue things. Maybe it feels this way since someone I know is running and his life’s witness is one that I find remarkable. His kindness to us here at Faith and our efforts for Bixby are outstanding. I can’t tell you how helpful his staff has been to me in the last few years.
I think what is unique in this year’s elections are the division in Christianity and the incredibly hateful things that Christians are saying about each other. Our witness to the world is ugly as we wrestle with politics and power. We are seeing the same thing played out in Texas with James Talarico who is a Presbyterian. For the first time since President Reagan created the “Moral Majority” combining conservative economics and evangelical Christianity, there is an alternate voice of Christianity. This confrontation is making us look terrible. Christians have a wide variety of thoughts and beliefs. This is why there are so many different denominations. Any one group claiming to speak for all of Christianity is doomed to fail. But rather than affirming those who follow Jesus but interpret his teaching in different ways, the finger pointing and tearing down of others is rampant. The hate slinging and lying and malicious language being thrown around is damaging to our souls. When religion and politics are woven together, bad things always happen.
We have been focusing on Unity here at Faith because we know that political parties do not determine a person’s value. Our value comes from the one who made us and called us beloved. Our identity is wrapped up in the witness of Jesus who walked humbly, taught faithfully and died as a criminal accused by those in power. We are called to use our voices, money and influence to proclaim the Kingdom of God. This election- no election for that matter- will not determine the Kingdom of God. We will still have work to do to proclaim the Way of Jesus regardless of who gets elected. But we should vote. Voting matters and people died trying to fight for the right to vote. It is important to do the work of understanding what is at stake and to have an informed opinion. Yes, it is hard to wade through the lies and the paid fear mongering but we should not be lazy about something that is so important.
So this week, I am praying for you all as I work in Costa Rica. Don’t let how this election goes steal your joy. Don’t gloat if your candidate wins. This is just one election in many and our work as the people of God will still be needed regardless of the outcome. Our love and grace with each other is the witness that we want the world to see. Building each other up and showing forgiveness and mercy is Kingdom work that reflects our Savior. There are so many wounds that people are struggling with each and every day that need our time and attention. So please Faith, pray with me for each other and “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.” May we reflect a Christianity that proclaims unity in a way that celebrates how wonderfully different we are as we love each other and Jesus. May our grace be without limits.
Peace be with you,
