And They’ll Know We Are Christians…

by our political affiliation.

Yeah. You know that’s not right.

However, there is a sentiment floating around that God is a card carrying member of an American political party.

I witnessed that yesterday as many proclaimed God’s goodness.

Which is true! But God’s goodness is not situational, so if we scroll back 4 years, God’s goodness should have proclaimed back then as well. (I didn’t verify, but I am guessing that may not have been the case.)

Even though I know I should trust that God is good in all circumstances, yesterday was a difficult day for me. Yesterday I struggled to embrace His goodness. My heart was heavy and I was overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, anger, and fear.

Sadness that most people don’t share my belief that character is more important than policy.

Anger because hateful rhetoric is tolerated and reprehensible behaviors are excused.

Anger because there are media sources who thrive on fueling hatred rather than providing reliable, unbiased information.

Anger because people misuse the Bible to promote animosity by citing Bible verses taken out of context, misapplying them, and ignoring the whole counsel of God.

Anger because I believe in justice and I did not feel justice has been served.

Fear because people believe conspiracy theories over science.

Fear because I’m not sure how democracy will survive if we deem people with different political ideologies as evil and label them as the enemy.

But mostly I fear the example we are setting for our children and grandchildren.

But I know, God is good.

So I’ve been wrapping myself up with all the people and all the songs and all the words that remind me of His goodness.

I’ve reminded myself of His most important commandments.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

I’ve reminded myself of what love looks like and acts like.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.

So today, even though my heart is not 100% in it, and I am fighting snarky comments, I’m accepting responsibility,

I am choosing love. (A pretty tall order given the above definition.)

And I’m choosing hope.

I am hopeful we will be strong enough to speak up when we hear hateful speech and name calling.

I am hopeful we will be wise enough to search for, acknowledge, and accept truth.

I am hopeful we will be brave enough to challenge lies.

I am hopeful we will listen with the intent to understand, rather than the need to respond.

I am hopeful we will show kindness and compassion to everyone regardless of anything and everything.

I am hopeful our children and grandchildren will live in a more peaceful world.

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(If you are unsure if the media sources you are following are indeed reliable, I highly recommend exploring Ad Fontes Media.