This is the year of the US Election. In case you had not noticed. 🙂
Not particularly a topic I wanted to write on, however it has been very much on my mind.
On many minds, I think, judging from my Facebook feed, and the constant news updates we see on every channel.
We might be Canadian, but we are very affected by this US election.
I’m not going to spout my opinion or add more feed to tired minds, yet after we watched CNN yesterday for a bit, I could keep quiet no longer.
We first watched Trump give a speech in Florida, and then tuned in to hear Michelle Obama give her stirring speech. We listened to Hillary Clinton as well. I was especially surprised on how these speeches impacted deep emotions in me, and at one point I was moved to tears.
I think we in the North feel somewhat helpless, like we are watching a Soap Opera on the World stage gone terribly wrong. And yesterday I felt violated as a woman, and wondered how many felt the same way…
Are we really helpless, I wondered? And as I’ve been pondering about it all this week, some things came to mind….
As a Christ-follower, I often think…. how do I live? I know Christ encouraged us to pray for our leaders, our governments… so I am compelled again to pray, to pray for wisdom, for discernment, for those making decisions in the countries in which we live, wisdom for those who vote.
Christ also called us to LOVE. It is the part of the greatest commandment. One of the aspects that appalls me is how divisive this US election is… Christians turning against Christians, and I sometimes wonder… where is the respect, the honour, the love that we should be known by?
We are also called to care for all: the poor, the sick, the foreigner…. With Christ there is no respecter of persons. We are all loved equally. How do I live my life where I stand up for those who are bullied? Is there a right time to speak out, to champion values that care for those who feel trampled on?
That being said, I believe we are also called to Peace. Peace seems unattainable some days, but I love that verse in scripture which says: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)
No, I was not going to write on this topic. My thoughts are few. I am weary of it all. But there needs to be voices that call for love, for justice, for peace, for compassion. As much as we are able. And I will continue to pray… for those who lead here in Canada, and for our neighbours in the USA and all over the world.
