Waiting: Post-election Reflections
Dear Epiphany,
Waiting is hard. As I write this on Thursday morning, we’re all still waiting for the results of the election. Maybe when you read this Friday morning, we’ll know more. I was heartened to see such increased voter turnout this year amidst a pandemic nonetheless. Regardless, I confess I am disappointed the results do not show a stronger repudiation of immoral and dangerous leadership. But this is us, a divided and mixed nation. Simply calling for everyone to get along despite differences denies the real struggles and pain at the heart of the issues. Cheap grace and easy peace are not faithful or lasting. It seems hard, at this moment, for many to hold out hope we can talk across divides anymore. Yet, our baptismal covenant lands us squarely on the side of human decency, of justice and compassion for the oppressed and marginalized. That I know. St. Paul urges the Philippians to hold fast to whatever is true, honorable, pure, just, trustworthy and pleasing to God (Phil 4:8). And that is a good word of encouragement. As followers of Jesus, I think we can affirm our common humanity and belovedness in God’s eyes, while not affirming or ignoring sinful and dangerous behaviors and beliefs.
This is hard. This will continue to be hard no matter what happens in the next day or so. I’m not sure what the way forward will be, but I trust God always makes a way in the wilderness. We’ll take that journey together. So I remind myself and us of a few things: Hope can grow in time. Love for neighbor is always the way. God provides enough grace for each day. The kingdom still needs workers for justice and voices for righteousness. Our daily lives still call us to ordinary acts of generosity, forgiveness, compassion and humility. Beauty shines everywhere. The Gospel stories still need to be told and heard over and over again. We need to say our prayers, not only for others and for our world, but also for our own well-being. So I’ll keep seeing you at church – virtually or in-person. The season of Advent begins in a few weeks. It will teach us again how to wait in faith and hopeful expectation for God to do a new thing and come among us. I think it will be just what we need.
Yours in Christ,
Rev’d Jen
