Many have said they're giving up. Our local paper showed a quote from writer Stephen King saying he was shutting down. One pastor reported her church musician is stepping away from his duties because he no longer feels like he can lead people in praise. These are just some of the reactions that people are sharing about how they feel about the national scene and the election of our new president. You may have felt the same way. Reports on the media speak of violence and demonstrations of hatred. Many are justifying their actions as being because "America is great again," or "Trump, baby!" These actions further fuel the feelings of despair and depression many feel.
The call for Christian people and believers everywhere is to step up in faith and love like never before. We were never promised by God that everything would go our way, but we were promised that the Lord would be with us, and He is. We affirm like never before that God is still in control over heaven and earth. John's gospel shares this passage: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (13:34). Truly, acts of love and kindness, mercy and compassion, should be the rule of the day. We have the same obligation as always to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison; and no where does is say "only if they look and talk like you." As one lady said the other day as she explained the stupidity of racism: "There is only one race here on this planet, and that is the human race, of which we are all a part." If we could only live like that. God would be pleased.
Step up. Stand up for justice and equality. Speak out for love and fairness. Truly be the disciples that Jesus expected of us.
