This election might go down as one of the nastiest elections in US history (or at least in our lifetime). The country is split, lines have been drawn, you are either on the right or the wrong side, and if you aren't on my side then you are a horrible person. The reality is, there are real things to be afraid of in this election no matter who you vote for and I don't want to diminish those fears. The impacts of this election (like most) have real-life effects on people both in the United States and abroad. It matters.
But when all is said and done, there are a few things we know will still be the case no matter who ends up in office:
There will still be hungry people
There will still be unhoused people
There will still be sick people
There will still be war
There will still be injustice
One might argue that their party will be the one who can fix all of that and yet no party has actually eradicated these things. There are laundry lists of reasons why that is, most of which end up blaming the "other." Every politician wants you to think that they are the savior and will solve all of yours and the worlds problems. Most often they will use fear to convince you that you need them. But NONE of them have ever actually saved us!
Church, we only have one Savior, one Lord, and that is Jesus Christ. Anything or anyone who tries to claim our allegiance as savior is only claiming idolatry. Yes, it is possible that politicians can do good and solve problems of this world. Many have. But we must recognize that even the best are still human, still sinful, and unable to actually cure the world of the sting of sin and death. Even through their attempts at doing good, there will be negative impacts.
No matter who wins the elections, the work of the church is not done. Our calling remains the same. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Heal the sick. Shelter the unhoused. Seek peace and justice for all. And most importantly, proclaim the Good News of the Risen Christ to all people! You may feel like this task becomes easier or harder depending on who is elected, but the calling remains the same! So go do it!
We must not let fear and hatred rule the day. We must stay solid in our foundation of hope and love for ALL people (both neighbor and enemy). We must be the ones who lead the way with forgiveness and reconciliation. We must be the ones who live out the sermon on the mount every single day and bring light into this dark world. We MUST all be united around the cross, pledging our utmost allegiance to the slaughtered Lamb, Jesus Christ!
Let us pledge our allegiance to the Kingdom of God above all else:
To a peace that is not like Rome's
To the Gospel of enemy love
To the kingdom of the poor and broken
To a King that loves his enemies so much he died for them
To the least of these, with whom Christ dwells
To the transnational Church that transcends the artificial borders of nations
To the refugee of Nazareth
To the homeless rabbi who had no place to lay his head
To the cross rather than the sword
To the banner of love above any flag
To the one who rules with a towel rather than an iron fist
To the one who rides a donkey rather than a war-horse
To the revolution that sets both oppressed and oppressors free
To the Way that leads to life
To the Slaughtered Lamb
Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb! (adapted from the Litany of Resistance by Shane Claiborne)