Dearly beloved,

I am sitting down to write this reflection the day after the election, a couple days earlier that I would normally write something. Part of this is from a practical point of view – leaving on Thursday for a family wedding (I will be back in time for Sunday worship; Pastor Chris Mietlowski will be preaching)

The other part is in an effort to process the results of this year’s election. Some are grieving and others are celebrating. It is the reality of our country where there are winners and losers. In the congregation, we will find people on both sides of that proverbial aisle.

I’ve spent some of this morning in conversation with colleagues as well as time in prayer. History has revealed other such divisive times over the years. The question for us as Christians, as people of faith, is how do we live into this time no matter what “side” we may be on?

We turn always to Jesus and we all need a little Jesus (or even more). Jesus lived in the midst of divisive times as well. I think we can lose sight of that as we read scripture. His message was not welcomed by all. His Word and actions became the impetus for this arrest and death.

Yet, Jesus’ Word -though not always received well – was and is one of unconditional love for all people, the gift of forgiveness that seeks to restore us to the image in which are created and the call for us to love and forgive in the same ways that we have received it. A simple message but one that does not always fit into the culture of the day. In fact, I read of a pastor who was accused of preaching “liberal talking points” but it was Jesus’ own words from the Sermon on the Mount.

We are called in the midst of the politics and the culture of our day to go above the sense of winners and losers, seeing each and every person as God sees us. We are called to speak out on behalf of those whose voices are silenced, to speak words of peace and justice. We are called to walk alongside Jesus, following Christ’s guidance rather than the culture’s point of view.

And with Christ Jesus as our strength and guide, we are called into relationship with all people. We are invited to be curious about people’s lives and situations, to put aside our assumptions and to see the beauty and belovedness of all – for we are all created in God’s image.

This Sunday, the reading is from Jonah, a prophet who wanted to take sides, but who God sent to those that he saw as his enemy. He had every earthly reason to hate the Ninevites (they killed and persecuted his people). Yet, God called him to preach repentance so they healing and renewal across that which divided them might occur.

There are no winners and losers as far as God is concerned. Jesus is not a member of any of our political parties or pulling for particular results. God is the God of love, justice and peace. We are invited into God’s point of view not any one part of our culture or world.

And so, in the midst of these days, we take a breath – praying for God’s Spirit to fill not just our lungs, but our lives and our world. As we breathe out, we ask God’ to send us forth with Christ’s Gospel message of love and grace for all!

peace in Christ,

Pastor Jen