The day after - a call to reconcile

I voted.

I am a fiscal conservative who is socially liberal. I believe in a strong military defense, but I expect Congress to be judicious in sending soldiers into harm’s way. I believe there is a fine line between necessary public safety legislation and government overregulation. I do not fit neatly under any political party’s platform. I have voted Republican and Democratic and found myself drawn to the occasional Libertarian. I am a swing voter

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:5-6

The lead-up to this election has been the most divisive in my lifetime. Life and death issues have caused people to take sides. Disinformation has fueled partisan divide. People cast their votes this election to act on what they view as moral imperatives—racism, abortion, capital punishment, women’s rights, gay rights, immigration. Others were  driven to vote based on their view of how to protect their loved ones in the world –  people who believe access to guns is critical to self-defense and reducing violence, and others who believe that easy access to guns fuels crime and violence; people who believe a strong defense deters wars and others who believe a strong defense encourages wars; people who believe expanding social security programs enables dependence and others who believe expanding social security programs is foundational to independence; people who believe the government has a responsibility to ensure affordable medical care for all Americans; people who believe government interference in the medical system will dilute medical care and limit access.

We hope to see our votes shape the world we want to see.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.  One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? Romans 14: 2-4 

We will soon learn if our individual votes delivered our presidential candidate. Inevitably, some are going to be disappointed, dismayed and discouraged. Some will look to those who voted differently and think, “How could they?” Some will be drawn to anger, frustration and judgment; others to finger pointing, name calling and further division. Most will feel righteous in their response, but Jesus did not cloak us in judgment; he robed us in grace.  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 

On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela invited his white jailer to attend his inauguration as an honored guest. He understood that to heal his country from the wounds of apartheid, he first had to reconcile his country. Regardless of which candidate takes office in January, individually we can all make a difference in healing our country. Jesus called us to forgiveness, not revenge. He understood it is only through reconciliation that people’s choices are made clear.