Many of us are carrying heavy hearts today with the outcome of the presidential election. With wars escalating around the world and tyrants on the throne it can feel like the forces of evil are holding sway. It is important to make space to grieve or process whatever it is you carry today. Carve out time to connect with loved ones and be gentle with yourself and others.
This is also a time where we, as followers of Jesus, are called to resist the powers and principalities of this world with acts of courage, solidarity and love. Just as Jesus confronted the forces of evil and prioritized the wellbeing of those pushed to the margins of society, so must we speak out, pray, and act for justice now.
We have the tools for such a time as this. As followers of Jesus grounded in the peace tradition, we have a long history of spiritual ancestors who resisted injustice, worked for peace, and placed their hope in the reign of God. Scripture is full of stories of God working in the midst of oppression to bring liberation and healing: God leading the people out of slavery in Egypt, Esther resisting tyrannical rule to keep her people safe even when her own life was in danger, Jesus--born under an oppressive regime--healing those on the margins and calling out unjust systems.
We have examples of peacemaking that extend beyond Scripture. Early Anabaptists refused to take up the sword and chose to love their enemies, even when it cost them their lives. Civil rights activists prayed, sang, marched and worked courageously for equal rights for all God's children. There are many more examples too numerous to name.
We have hope not because this work will be easy, but because we belong to the reign of God. God, who is making all things new, leads us from death and despair into life and love through the power of the Holy Spirit. We see this most clearly in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. May we bear witness to this hope in these turbulent times.
Hear these words from the Apostle Paul, who wrote letters to a church suffering under the thumb of tyrannical rule:
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
May the peace of Christ be with you today and always,
~Pastors Laura and Charlotte
Photo by Dan Coyne, Menno Haven
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