Post Election Reflection Pt 1

Warning: This is longer than I wanted it to be. In fact, I broke it up into two posts because I had so many thoughts on the topic.

Disclaimer: The following is written to the Christian community. That doesn’t mean that if you aren’t a part of that community this doesn’t apply to you, but I want you to know that so you don’t think I am applying the principles of Jesus to those who have not signed up for that life. However, for those of us who have, I am writing this to us. Everyone else is invited and welcome to be a part of the conversation.

Here’s the truth. I have been trying to write this article since the election and I have rewritten it at least four times.

The reason I have struggled with this is that I absolutely hate talking about politics on any level. I personally think that the least interesting thing about you is how you vote.

Don’t misunderstand me. I am honored to have the privilege to vote. I believe strongly in our responsibility to do it and we are fortunate to have it. I am thankful to those who have fought hard to give us the privilege that we have in the democratic process.

My point is there are so many things about you that are infinitely more interesting than how you cast your vote in an election. Sure, the values that drive you to vote a particular way are interesting but how those same values get politicized is abhorrent to me. Politics is so sullied with money and power that it is hard for me to speak about it without going Old Testament on it and that just isn’t my personality.

And yet, we must find a way, as followers of the Prince of Peace, to enter into an election without demonizing the other side.

That being said, all things considered, point of fact, ipso facto, expecto petronum…here we go.

My soul hurts.

This election cycle has been unlike anything I’ve witnessed before in my lifetime. Full disclosure: I’m getting tired of saying that because it seems like in the past five years, I have had a lot of “unlike anything I’ve witnessed before” moments but it does keep happening so it is worth saying.

This last election cycle has been very disappointing for me and I am not talking about the results of the process. As Christians, we have not behaved as Jesus would. We’ve been far more focused on our candidates than loving our neighbors well. We have been too concerned at pointing the finger instead of lifting a hand to help. This is true inside and outside of elections but it was made crystal clear during it.

I’ve heard supporters of the candidates be referred to as Nazis, garbage (both sides), demon-possessed, being possessed by the spirit of Jezebel (whatever that means), communists, facists, racists, misogynists, pedophiles, weak, traitors, unmanly, murderers, toxic…and the list goes on. Each insult being worse than the last and I’ve heard them coming out of the mouths of people claiming to be followers of Jesus.

Before you blame the “other side” for this, know that I am taking a good, long look at my own life and evaluating it. In other words, this is not an article you send to someone else, it is meant for self-reflection.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t call out factual faults about candidates, such as what they said or what they have actually done or not done, but I am saying we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about people who are voting for them without walking a mile in their Converse High Tops (my preferred shoe).

I have noticed that over the past four or five election cycles, the rhetoric and treatment of one another, among Christians and from Christians to the outside world, has become more and more hostile on both sides. To be honest, I just can’t.

Let’s pause for just a second and take a breath. I am a really positive person. I skew toward sunshine rather than rain, half full vs half empty, lemonade vs lemons, and kumbaya instead of “wah waaaaaaah” (you can substitute a tuba noise for that last one). But having seen what I just saw, optimism is possible only after we address how we acted. We all have culpability and should confess to God and perhaps one another.

At this point in the article, many of us might agree with at least some of what I just said. Yet, if you were to go back through social media, conversations, and the way you treated and spoke to people over the last few weeks…what would you find?

I would kindly ask you to not justify what you said or how you treated someone with “There is too much riding on this election”, “Our democracy is at stake”, “I’m voting for Biblical values” or the always dreaded “Just saying”. In all sincerity, I can’t handle that last one.

I know personally, I would need to ask for God’s forgiveness over some of the things I’ve said out loud in the months leading up to the election. I’ve let my frustrations get the best of me and my fears to jump in the driver’s seat while I was riding shotgun…on my phone…playing Wordle.

Speaking of that, one thing I have noticed is that a month or two before the election happens, we begin to behave differently and more erratically. Honestly, we lose our damn minds.

Some of us, who are kind and loving individuals, were virtually unrecognizable weeks before the election. We go from raging political analysts, back to the person that people can relate to. It reminds me of the Hulk turning back into Bruce Banner, we transform back into our old selves. Leaving and ignoring the destruction of the Hulk in our wake.

Our hope is that everyone forgets what happened during that time. That we go from character assassination and accusing one another, back to being friends again.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not built that way.

I don’t like holding grudges but it is also hard for me to pretend that very hurtful things weren’t said because “our country’s future is at stake.”

Don’t get me wrong, I can disagree with someone VEHEMENTLY and be okay with them after the fact if we have treated one another civilly. I can also disagree with someone uncivilly if we come back to one another in forgiveness and understanding, admitting our faults and making changes along the way. My faith in Jesus has made that possible for me.

However, when we continue to make up narratives about one another and allow news outlets, candidates, and politically motivated pundits to use us and pit us against one another, and if we then excuse that by saying “This is too important”, we’ll never get there and we will further the divide between us. We will also destroy the cause of Christ around us if we elevate ideologies rather than the way of Christ. In all sincerity, the reputation of Jesus has already been damaged severely and I pray consistently that it is not beyond repair in this country.

I hope you understand that I am including myself among you when I say that. Now, I could leave it there and drop the mic but that is in no way helpful. Most of us know what some of the issues are, the real question is, how do we stop this from happening again?

So, just a few words to all of us in the next few months and years.

To those who are feeling joyful because your candidate won. Congratulations! Celebrate with those who are celebrating. Enjoy the peace that comes with that.

I want to ask a favor of you, please don’t gloat. Some people have genuine fear substantiated by actual treatment and life experience. You may not agree with it or feel that they should be fearful, but that is not for you to determine. They are still scared and they have their reasons, which are not all emotional or imaginary, and you should respect that.

Remember the Golden Rule, “Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.” (Luke 6:31). Enjoy the moment but be aware that other people are hurting and it is completely valid to feel what they feel. It is also valid for you to feel how you feel too. I know you don’t need me to tell you that but there it is.

That being said, you have real concerns for the country you live in and felt as though those concerns were heard and validated. Rest in the fact that you were heard.

Peace be with you.

To those who are fearful. Be still (Psalm 46:10). Know that your fear is valid. Know that it is okay to confess that to God. Also, please know that you are not alone. There are communities of people out there that feel the same way. Seek comfort in those circles. Grieve the things you’ve lost with them.

Also know this, God hears you and is with you.

In Psalm 28, David cries out to God and says “Lord, I call to you; my rock, do not be deaf to me. If you remain silent to me, I will be like those going down to the Pit.” and later in the same chapter says “Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleading.”

My point is you can hold that God doesn’t hear you in one hand, and know that He actually does in the other. He is close to the brokenhearted and He heals them. (Psalm 34:18).

In times like these, it is always helpful to be reminded that you are not helpless and because we live in a democracy you are just as powerful when your candidate loses as when they win. There is work to be done and that work helps soothe the anxiety you feel even though it might not take it away.

Seek comfort in God and a community that understands.

Peace be with you.

To all of us. We need to do better. The way we talk to people we disagree with, says more about us than we realize. It doesn’t matter if it is an election season or not.

Jesus said, “For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have?” Matthew 5:46

He didn’t add to the end of that… “unless democracy is at stake.” Jesus faced execution on a cross and held true to who He was until the very end, out of love; love for God and others. We are encouraged to do the same.

The stakes for the Kingdom are too high not to imitate the way of Jesus.

Please hear me when I say this, I have work to do just like anyone who is reading this article does. I know that you know that, but I am telling you that I am aware of my own faults and inadequacies on this topic. The reason I bring this up is because I grieve what the followers of Jesus have lost at the hands of partisan politics.

I am fearful that many of us have fused politics and faith and can no longer discern which is which.

I have not given up though. I know that His mercies are new every morning. I understand that He is the light and we can be lights again too.

I have more to say on this topic but I will say it in a separate article. In that post I want to discuss a few things we can do to begin healing faith communities.

Until then…peace be with you.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27