For the Days Ahead

 Friends,

Following last night’s presidential debate many of you have shared your deep concerns over the state of our politics and even the future of our country.  I, too, share your concerns. The level of discourse we witnessed last night was a travesty. But beyond the unsettling tenor and tone of the debate in general, President Trump’s specific refusal to pledge that he will wait on independent certification of the election before declaring himself its winner was deeply disconcerting. Such an open unwillingness to commit to such a basic democratic convention should disturb us all. Even more, the President’s unwillingness to clearly condemn a white supremacist group but instead tell them to “stand back and stand by” is simply shuddering. 

Given the troubling signs we saw and heard last night, and all we have witnessed over these past several weeks, months, and years, allow me to offer three recommendations for this particular day and the no-doubt difficult days that are to come up to and following the election. 

1. Vote; and do whatever else that is within your power to aid in the facilitation and protection of the democratic process. It is we the people who must determine this election and the ultimate course of our nation.  The power belongs to the people and we must exercise it appropriately. 

2. Prepare for a long, hard road ahead. In the coming weeks and months we are facing not only a presidential election, but also the prospect of a Senate fight over a nominee for Supreme Court Justice, a Supreme Court fight over the validity of multiple state elections, questions over the peaceful transition of power, and multitudinous tests of the legitimacy of our government as a whole. We need to brace ourselves for a season of almost-overwhelming uncertainty and struggle. We cannot allow ourselves to be overwhelmed. 

3. Finally, read and commit to the below practices outlined by St. Paul in his epistle to the Church at Rome, a church comprised of its own people enduring their own almost-overwhelming uncertainty and struggle amidst their own most-trying of times.  The practices St. Paul names can help us keep control of what is within our power, even amidst what are otherwise extremely chaotic and out of control circumstances, and aid us in guarding our hearts and minds in the way of Christ Jesus even while the ways of this world threaten to trouble and undo us.  

These are extraordinarily difficult times. But we cannot allow our fears and our dismay to overwhelm us. Nor can we let our hearts turn cold.  “For these three things remain — faith, hope, and love”.  Faith in a genuinely democratic vision. Hope in a shared humanity of all people. And love for a country which upholds the dignity, rights, and votes of everyone — including friends and foes alike. Faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these must be love. 

From Romans chapter 12:

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.