I understand your point and there is truth in it--as children of God and followers of Jesus, our truest reality is living in God's story as agents of redemption in a fallen and not-yet fully restored earth. Always the answer is to love God and love others.
But you are wrong, too. Wednesday I woke up as a woman who has been sexually abused and learned an adjudicated rapist and man who brags about his predation was elected president--by the vast majority of Christians (at least white, catholic, and Latino). How many other sexual abuse survivors woke up with horror...at least 25%.
I talked to a friend who was sent home from her Texas hospital with an ectopic pregnancy to either miscarry or have a medical emergency. How many women woke up to that kind fear?
I talked to a friend who works at a non-profit for immigrants and refugees. Two of their employees are in Temporary Protected Status. They had to make plans for if they are deported, if the refugee agency they partner with has to shut down and how to absorb them and cover funding.
I sent my kids to a Christian school and my 7th grade son came back wilted and weepy because his Catholic and evangelical classmates' parents all voted for a criminal and a misogynist and he was alone. A friend drove up in pick-up line and confessed her sadness and bewilderment and then said, I don't know who to talk to. I think maybe everyone voted for him."
My daughter cried. She has read the Wallstreet Journal every Saturday and the New York Times every Sunday for the entire election year to try to understand both sides--and she understood we just voted in a man who has run a campaign on fear and hatred. We wondered together about our neighbors--the families who woke up and wondered if they would be split from their children if they were deported. The kids who wonder if they will be separated from their parents or illegally deported as American citizens.
Loving our neighbor means grieving with them. That, if nothing else, should change our Wednesday.
Same here, I woke up Wednesday as the mother of a daughter who is married to a woman and the mother of my two grandchildren. My granddaughter was just one week old on Election Day. I was hoping for a much different country for her to arrive in, one where a woman could finally be president. Also I fear for all the potential hurdles my family will face.
Thanks Jennifer. There are many who are troubled just as you, including myself & the 36 year old daughter with whom I live. I trust the Lord as Mike describes, but am also willing to admit the blindness I have had to the points you make. I pray God is working through this to refine those of us who profess to know Christ, for repentance where necessary & change that brings Him glory & the flourishing of our communities as a result.
I was devastated on Wednesday by the election results. I am still processing what this will mean but in the immediate aftermath I’m hurting to the core. I am unable to defend to my non evangelical friends why my evangelical friends voted for this rapist and felon. I’m watching and listening to the evangelicals in my community defend their vote with such excuses as the lesser of 2 evils, Trump is more prolife, I have even heard him compared to King David flawed but a man after God’s own heart. So for now I don’t know where my community is or how to move on.
Thanks for this, Mike. I particularly appreciated your observation that "Reality always seems to land somewhere between our best hopes and our worst fears."
Though sometimes "worst fears" do materialize—reading Jeremiah and Ezekiel lately has reminded me that history contains moments when severe consequences did unfold, with devastating impact. While the recent election may not be at that level, history shows us that certain moments can act as flood gates, allowing either good or harm to flow through. God remains sovereign, but circumstances can become more or less aligned with His righteousness.
Jennifer's message offers crucial perspective here. (Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your experiences so honestly.) As someone who is visibly part of an ethnic minority, I would personally prefer to stay in doors on January 6 if the events announced for that day do take place.
Perhaps this election won't fundamentally change things. We will indeed continue being called to live as Christians who put others first, love our enemies, and help those in need—all of which you described so well, Mike. This morning I finished Scot McKnight's book on the Sermon on the Mount. Among the many ideas that resonated with me was this: "The will of God is far more often works of compassion [...] than charismatic displays of might" (p. 268). After this election, such works of compassion may be needed more than ever, particularly if the rhetoric of recent months shapes how people treat each other in society.
I am having trouble with this post. I understand what you are trying to say and I do believe that God is in control and that we don’t have to live in fear. But fear exists. It’s a real emotion. David fled for his life in fear of Saul. But it’s what he did with his fear that is the difference. He trusted God but he was still in fear. and while I and others who have commented understand we are to trust God. Wednesday was not just another day like other days. There are many who are grieving and I think it’s kinder if we recognize and acknowledge that.
Thank you. Yes what matters today is for me to be of help to others and listen to the Spirit. I am a woman who in her life has experienced the 'grabbing' he boasts of. It's hard to see. I am in the UK but have friends and family in the US. I feel pain and they tell me they are in pain. God help us all, everyone, to be united in the love of Jesus and be able to stand in peace despite all around us.
I understand your point and there is truth in it--as children of God and followers of Jesus, our truest reality is living in God's story as agents of redemption in a fallen and not-yet fully restored earth. Always the answer is to love God and love others.
But you are wrong, too. Wednesday I woke up as a woman who has been sexually abused and learned an adjudicated rapist and man who brags about his predation was elected president--by the vast majority of Christians (at least white, catholic, and Latino). How many other sexual abuse survivors woke up with horror...at least 25%.
I talked to a friend who was sent home from her Texas hospital with an ectopic pregnancy to either miscarry or have a medical emergency. How many women woke up to that kind fear?
I talked to a friend who works at a non-profit for immigrants and refugees. Two of their employees are in Temporary Protected Status. They had to make plans for if they are deported, if the refugee agency they partner with has to shut down and how to absorb them and cover funding.
I sent my kids to a Christian school and my 7th grade son came back wilted and weepy because his Catholic and evangelical classmates' parents all voted for a criminal and a misogynist and he was alone. A friend drove up in pick-up line and confessed her sadness and bewilderment and then said, I don't know who to talk to. I think maybe everyone voted for him."
My daughter cried. She has read the Wallstreet Journal every Saturday and the New York Times every Sunday for the entire election year to try to understand both sides--and she understood we just voted in a man who has run a campaign on fear and hatred. We wondered together about our neighbors--the families who woke up and wondered if they would be split from their children if they were deported. The kids who wonder if they will be separated from their parents or illegally deported as American citizens.
Loving our neighbor means grieving with them. That, if nothing else, should change our Wednesday.
Thank you for this perspective. It's important to listen to how the election impacts women and children.
I see you. I’m grieving too
Same here, I woke up Wednesday as the mother of a daughter who is married to a woman and the mother of my two grandchildren. My granddaughter was just one week old on Election Day. I was hoping for a much different country for her to arrive in, one where a woman could finally be president. Also I fear for all the potential hurdles my family will face.
Thanks Jennifer. There are many who are troubled just as you, including myself & the 36 year old daughter with whom I live. I trust the Lord as Mike describes, but am also willing to admit the blindness I have had to the points you make. I pray God is working through this to refine those of us who profess to know Christ, for repentance where necessary & change that brings Him glory & the flourishing of our communities as a result.
I was devastated on Wednesday by the election results. I am still processing what this will mean but in the immediate aftermath I’m hurting to the core. I am unable to defend to my non evangelical friends why my evangelical friends voted for this rapist and felon. I’m watching and listening to the evangelicals in my community defend their vote with such excuses as the lesser of 2 evils, Trump is more prolife, I have even heard him compared to King David flawed but a man after God’s own heart. So for now I don’t know where my community is or how to move on.
I relate, Eleanor. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this, Mike. I particularly appreciated your observation that "Reality always seems to land somewhere between our best hopes and our worst fears."
Though sometimes "worst fears" do materialize—reading Jeremiah and Ezekiel lately has reminded me that history contains moments when severe consequences did unfold, with devastating impact. While the recent election may not be at that level, history shows us that certain moments can act as flood gates, allowing either good or harm to flow through. God remains sovereign, but circumstances can become more or less aligned with His righteousness.
Jennifer's message offers crucial perspective here. (Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your experiences so honestly.) As someone who is visibly part of an ethnic minority, I would personally prefer to stay in doors on January 6 if the events announced for that day do take place.
Perhaps this election won't fundamentally change things. We will indeed continue being called to live as Christians who put others first, love our enemies, and help those in need—all of which you described so well, Mike. This morning I finished Scot McKnight's book on the Sermon on the Mount. Among the many ideas that resonated with me was this: "The will of God is far more often works of compassion [...] than charismatic displays of might" (p. 268). After this election, such works of compassion may be needed more than ever, particularly if the rhetoric of recent months shapes how people treat each other in society.
I am having trouble with this post. I understand what you are trying to say and I do believe that God is in control and that we don’t have to live in fear. But fear exists. It’s a real emotion. David fled for his life in fear of Saul. But it’s what he did with his fear that is the difference. He trusted God but he was still in fear. and while I and others who have commented understand we are to trust God. Wednesday was not just another day like other days. There are many who are grieving and I think it’s kinder if we recognize and acknowledge that.
Thank you. Yes what matters today is for me to be of help to others and listen to the Spirit. I am a woman who in her life has experienced the 'grabbing' he boasts of. It's hard to see. I am in the UK but have friends and family in the US. I feel pain and they tell me they are in pain. God help us all, everyone, to be united in the love of Jesus and be able to stand in peace despite all around us.
Thank you Mike for these encouraging words