Friends, I awoke today in deep need of fasting from political news. I was in even more need of fasting from acting like a worried voyeur on social media as a leader of our flock, anxiously surveying "how our church leaders are handling themselves, Lord preserve me and my friends from any online destructive dookie storms, etc."
I realized I needed a massive dose of Scripture intake and did just that as a reset. Ahhh. Here's what ima do next regarding our election results.
ONE: Do what Christians in all cultures have done best for 2,000 years: Worship all of it. Not worship the stuff, but take the stuff of life with me into worship. Take the reality of me and of our world over the preceding six days and worship in the presence of God, with my particular people of God, under the Word of God, receiving a fresh leading from the Spirit of God. Then go be a doer of God's Word, not a hearer only. PLEASE do so this Sunday too!
I'm working with a few of our elders to craft a prayer time Sunday that leads the part of our congregation that is rejoicing, and the part of our body of Christ that is mourning these election results, to pray to the Holy One together. I've spoken with LFC members with each emotion this week. Political affiliation and vote are not legalistic litmus tests defining our fellowship (see our last series on modern Phariseeism), so our beautiful tribe reflects the tensions of our country this week. Just like Jesus' apostles did - Mathew (tax collector, Roman collaborator) and Simon (Zealot party, for violent government overthrow) must have had trippy fireside chats, but they unified in worship and apprenticeship to Jesus. Sunday, we will find words to pray for one another, for our country, and for our elected leaders.
TWO: Speak up and stand up. It appears some of our most immoral citizens are cynically using this weeks events as license to sinfully harass, denigrate, and intimidate Americans of color, different religions, and those openly part of the LGBTQ community. Accounts of such behavior are now verified, as well as by people I know personally. We Christians, especially today us white Christians, must be clear that we will not tolerate this kind of sin and it has nothing to do with the way of Jesus. And we must make the same clear to our children. Jesus famously says, "when you do this (serve in various ways) to the least of these, you've done it to me." No one is "least" in God's eyes, but society always picks on some as such. How can you and I show up and stick up for those today feeling they are treated as "least" and worried about their future? Let's be those who serve Christ by courageously intervening if such a sin is committed in our presence, and by refusing to condone any such loose talk in our private circles. Thus pursuing the holiness of Jesus in our words, actions and advocacy.
