It is just a few days away from “the most important election” of our lifetime. It is just days away from deciding whether the country will ever be the same again and perhaps even if the world will end as we know it. This has been the message we have heard from every corner over the last 12 months and I am here to tell you that I simply think we have it all wrong.
Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that voting is important and I have already done so. Yet as I finished voting I noticed that I did not feel anxious or overwhelmed with dread or doubt. This isn’t because I know who is going to collect the most votes, in fact it might be because I don’t know who will win that I felt so much peace.
Because if America is going to be “great again”, if it ever was, it is not a matter of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton becoming president. The reality is that the greatness of this country, your community, and your life is all up to you. I was reading the Sermon on the Mount this morning and read these words from Jesus:
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
These words from Jesus are a reminder that we need to spend less time pointing fingers and casting dispersions against our neighbors. Instead what we need to do is to find ways to create bridges and foster real dialogue and community. It really is very easy…
Just take a look at America’s latest superhero team “Juslim”
These two kids are best friends and don’t let the fact that one is Jewish and one is Muslim stand in their way. They wanted to show the world that we need to get over ourselves and to start listening to each other. THEY are making America better…
So vote for Trump
or vote for Clinton
or perhaps Gary Johnson
but know that your vote won’t make America better, but how you treat your neighbor will. “Winning” the election won’t make America better either, but spending time volunteering at the local homeless shelter will.
Next Wednesday this election will be over but the work of the church will continue. We need to bring peace, freedom, and healing into the world. Next Wednesday there should be neither Jew nor Greek, nor Democrat nor Republican…maybe just a bunch of children of God loving each other.
PastorBlueJeans Musings 