Dear siblings in Christ,
It has been a bit more than twenty-four hours since the people of this country began to hear the results of the elections. For many it was disappointing news, for others it was a time of celebration.
Over a hundred million people casted their votes and a majority elected one of the candidates. That is what an election is about, isn’t it? So the question is, how can we now move on and forward in a way that brings wholeness and wellbeing to the community?
I believe that the media has deeply damaged and divided our society. In fact, their agenda continues to sow fear and discord by pointing fingers, blaming, and shaming. They now blame white women, immigrants, black men, etc. for the outcome of the elections and for the loss of one of the candidates. Also, they are infusing fear by telling what the new administration will do. A person told me, “we need to be afraid of the demonic winning candidate.”
We don't know what it will be like. But, we cannot allow the powers and elites to swallow us into a chaos of fear and hopelessness. And we cannot allow the pride of victory and the hunger for power to despise others by crushing them. That is also a sign of the reign of fear.
As children of God and siblings in Christ, we are called to be a presence that disrupts the powers of destruction, death, and hate. Jesus tells us to confront evil with the divine compassion that he showed us through his life.
When St. Paul wrote to the Philippians, he reminded them that as Children of the light, they cannot let fear take over and suck their lives out, but instead should let their lives be a testimony of the grace of God. He said, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” Phil 4:6 (MSG)
Being honest with ourselves, how many times have we gone through this? Was not the same thing during the last twelve years regardless who won? Either side thought that that was the end and that we would not survive. Well, we are here once again. It reminds me of the people of Israel complaining while they walked in the wilderness!
St. Paul continues, “Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Phil 4:7 (MSG). That is a reminder that we are to remain grounded on the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God, and that the Lord Jesus will be with us along the way. Before we know it, wholeness will enfold people. And once we settle down, we can start listening to one another, learning from each other, and gaining a better understanding of why we see the world differently.
Maybe this is a time for politicians, and all the people, to re-think why our society is going sideways—neglecting people, putting priorities in that which hurts and displaces people for whatever reason—and why we are yearning for messianic figure politicians, rather than looking at who we are as co-journers.
“It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Phil 4:7 (MSG). As someone said to me yesterday, my candidate won, that only means to me that I am supposed to walk and work together for the good of all people, let’s move forward. Absolutely! But how? We need to begin trusting that love casts out fear. When Christ displaces worry at the center of our lives, the gifts of the Spirit fill our lives.
As we go on with our lives into a new chapter in the journey of this nation, I invite you to pray intentionally, to listen actively, and to walk humbly with God. Let’s pray for the new administration, for wisdom, understanding, and a humble sense of service and care for the people that God has entrusted them to guide. Let us pray that our petition will shape us in a way that we can learn from one another and to remember that our identity is grounded on the one who showed us the power of God’s love.
Your sibling and servant in Christ,
Pastor Hector Garfias-Toledo
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