I am careful never to be political in this space. I write for a small audience largely made up of people I know in real life. And many of those people are on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Since the word “shalom” is part of the title of this blog, I feel foolish trying to write about controversial or polarizing topics and typically keep the content safe and simple: family, faith, and funny stuff. But shalom is not about peace-keeping as much as it about peace-making. And that requires some risk.
This year has changed us all, has it not? None of us wants to waste our breath, our energy, or our days on fluff. So I want to tiptoe into dangerous territory and suggest we put down our swords and temper our emotions on both sides of the political war for the sake of a kingdom that matters more than an election. We cannot, in good conscience, let our tone, our talk, our social media posts, or our behavior mimic anything about Tuesday night’s Presidential debate.
Several years ago Christy Nockels wrote a song called “By Our Love.” I mainly liked it for the melody and never paid close attention to the lyrics until I rediscovered it on iTunes this week. It’s written for the Church universal, and the chorus says:
The time is now
Come church arise
Love with his hands
See with his eyes
Bind it around you
Let it never leave you
And they will know us by our love
In this year of a pandemic, natural disasters, civil unrest, and losses that have recked havoc on our routines, our businesses, our churches, our schools, and even our bodies… Imagine if we who claim to be part of the big “C” Church were known less for what we know or how we vote, and more for who we know and how we love.
The call to action isn’t for us to retreat into rabbit holes and stop watching the news. Or to turn aside and ignore the pleas for racial equality and a more just and honest system. Nor is it to merely keep hoping things all get back to “normal” soon. Of course we need to be engaged citizens and change agents in the quest for justice and mercy and peace.
But our primary concern as Christians isn’t to put our HOPE in any one leader or to “Make America Great Again.” Rather, it’s the same as it has always been: to make the Lord known.
And the call to the Church stays consistent throughout history: awake and ARISE. Not with weapons in our hands, fingers in our ears, cynicism in our hearts, and harsh words on our tongues. But with eyes that see, ears that listen, tongues that offer gentle answers, hands that heal, and hearts that love.
The time is now.
“Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)…
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Ephesians 5:8-9, 14
I found this drawing my 8-year-old made for her imaginary Presidential campaign:
If you can’t quite tell, she is standing behind a microphone and her writing at the top says:
“I will make a speach each weak and get you people some packege cookies and treats. And I will make a speach about Covid.”
She may not be able to spell very well. But I think she knows the way forward:
Get the people—all the people—some {packaged} cookies and treats.
Basically, show them some love.
Caroline definitely knows the way forward ❤️