Dear Church Family,
I am writing this on election day morning as I don’t want the results to influence my thoughts. In every election there are winners and losers. Like you my votes have been on both sides of winners and losers in the past. Of course, I liked winning. One major election all of the candidates I voted for nationally, state and local levels were elected. For a brief moment I thought life would unfold according to a plan that I would have designed. It did not happen that way, but still I enjoyed the experience of the candidate I supported winning.
On the other hand, I disliked losing. I’m accustomed to losing at games, especially cards – I do it frequently. But when I’ve invested my thoughts and feelings toward a candidate’s success – losing feels awful, especially losing a very close race.
Beyond the winning and losing of elections is how we connect with others. How does our human experience unfold when we have different opinions? I have a friend who I have discussed politics often for the past 20 years. We have different opinions. We have different news sources. We have different goals for our nation and world. Yet we share a deep respect and enjoy our friendship as we share many common interests.
I learned important behaviors from him. He never puts someone down for their political opinions. He never makes jokes or disparaging remarks about candidates or ideology he doesn’t support. He listens thoughtfully. He responds to others in kind and considerate ways. If someone is disrespectful, he walks away from the disrespect, but always welcomes the person when they are polite. He had moments of snarkiness around the politics of church, work – but not about our government or political parties. I admire him and enjoy our friendship.
I share this as many of us are in relationship with someone with whom we are not politically aligned. Sometimes the media, especially social media tries to stereotype our beliefs or political party affiliation. Sometimes we resemble the stereotype, but most times we do not. We are not a “type”. We are individual unfolding souls who are having a human experience. Our task is to realize this and celebrate the souls around us; we celebrate the perfection of God that desires to emerge in this human lifetime.
I celebrate you – I celebrate your soul seeking unfoldment. I celebrate your journey and affirm that God’s highest good is unfolding for each of us. Amen.
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert
