My heart has been so heavy the past few days. Friends, I am deeply saddened by this election. And I am angry. And all these feelings are ok. A few thoughts for those who are replying to these emotions with "this isn't that big a deal" or "it's ok, God is still in control." I know many of these things are said with good intentions behind them, but here are a few thoughts:
The results of this election ARE a big deal. I am neither a "conservative" or "liberal," I've voted for both Republican and Democratic candidates, and I've had my candidate lose before. My sadness is not because my party or candidate lost - I genuinely don't have one. This was not a normal election, and my sadness is because a man who has sexually assaulted women (into the double digits), someone who has continually mocked those with disabilities, who has threatened the vulnerable and those of races and backgrounds different from himself....a man who perpetuates a culture of violence, cruelty, misogyny, and arrogance...this man was just elected the utmost LEADER of our country, by a good portion of our populace.
I am deeply saddened by the injustice that will be perpetuated over the coming years because of this man's policies, leadership, and influence; as a soon to be mom of a Black child, I am deeply concerned about how my son's life will be affected. I am deeply concerned about the scores of other vulnerable lives that ARE at risk now (including more unborn lives) because of our new president-elect. I hurt with my minority brothers and sisters who feel scared, hated, unwanted. And I am so, so deeply saddened that so many in our country elected this man, with all these things being known, because somehow, other things were more important. That self-preservation, self-interests, safety, comfort, security, personal economic gain, fear, hate for the opposing party...that these things mattered more. I know that every person is unique and I am not trying to group all Trump voters together - I genuinely want to know and listen to what drove you, if you are a Trump voter, and to talk through those things (More about that below). My main point now is this:
Most of us who are sad and angry about this election are not being petty, and haven't stopped trusting in God's sovereignty. I have ultimate faith in my Creator, and ultimate peace about my life and my son's life because I know He is in control. And believe me, I will be praying for our new president-elect, that God would genuinely move in his heart, grow his character, and do amazing things through him. BUT - all of that doesn't negate everything I listed above. When Christ walked the earth, he was deeply ANGERED by injustice. He WEPT over the city he loved when he saw it's brokenness. Throughout Scripture, we see God's deep sadness and righteous anger when the world is not as it should be. So as his follower, I do the same. It is completely legitimate - and even, I think, expected - that we should feel deep sadness and righteous anger when we see brokenness in our country. When injustice prevails. When things are not as they should be. So I will weep, mourn, and process - then, as Christ also exemplified, I will continue to push and act and seek his justice and his kingdom first. There will be continued moments of mourning and weeping when injustice and immorality are seen - and that's ok. There will be simultaneous respect for the highest office in our country and for our democratic process. But please believe - there will also be increased awareness for the needs of the vulnerable, fiercer defense of what is just and right, and speaking truth to power when power goes astray. I believe all of this goes hand in hand, as a follower of Christ.
A few more thoughts I've been processing through, if you'd like to keep reading :)
To Trump supporters: I'm sorry many of you felt so angry/scared/frustrated/unheard. I want to understand why. I genuinely want to hear you, to help fix the brokenness in our country, to do this together. There is a better Way. Let's talk.
To all the Black children I know and love, to my Black neighbors and brothers and sisters, to immigrants and other minorities, to refugees, to the LGBT community, to so many others who feel vulnerable and overlooked and afraid: I am so, so sorry that this is where our country is. I am sorry for whatever part I might have played in getting us here. I'm sorry for the selfishness and fear and anger and division in our culture. I am just so sorry. Know that I will continue to spend my life standing with you, fighting for you, fiercely defending you. I have your back, always.
To my Black son, who will be born in a couple months (right around inauguration day): this is not the America I know and love, and I will spend my life making it the America you deserve. I will passionately seek reconciliation and justice, so you grow up in a society that views you as the truly equal and valuable life that you are. I will defend you with all that I am, and work hard for change in our country so that one day being defensive is not necessary. You are so loved.
To the Church: brothers and sisters, this is the time. Right now. This is the time to stand up and show the world who the TRUE Church is, that we are not "American evangelicalism" as it is currently known. What American Christianity has become - this is not the true Church anymore. So let's use our voices and the power we've been given, helping push our churches and our culture the direction it needs to go, so we are truly reflecting Christ and doing the work of his Kingdom. Let's boldly stand up to the dominant "Christian" culture and to our political leaders, speaking truth to power, using our prophetic voices as God calls us - even if/when it costs us something. Our voices will be needed now more than ever, friends (https://twitter.com/i/moments/796417517157830656). Let's show our country a new Way, away from selfishness and anger and fear, away from a desire for comfort and preservation above all else. Let's lead the way in reconciliation and justice and unity, in peace and selflessness. Let's be on the front lines, defending the vulnerable against the attacks that will come, beating back the darkness. Let's let the GOSPEL truly define us - not a party or political ideology or fear. This is my hope, that this election would push us to be bold and brave and more like Christ. Our country needs us. The world needs us.
Onward and upward.
No comments:
Post a Comment