The Days After

We've made it through. Now it's time for a heart check.

If you’re American (and maybe even if you’re not), November 5 was likely looming in your mind as one of those dates you were living in the “before” of while wondering what the “after” would look like.

Suddenly, “after” is here. And like the bride-to-be as she wakes up the morning after taking her vows to find that the wedding is behind her and real life as a wife looms, you have to ask yourself the very real question of what “after” will look like.

If you’re a follower of Christ, “after” shouldn’t look like snarky memes. It shouldn’t look like verbally accusing those “on the other side,” of being evil, or causing the downfall of a nation. If you’ve already given full vent to wallowing or gloating on your social media, if you’ve had run-ins today with friends that ended with name calling and accusations… repent.

Repent because politics are not salvific.

Our only savior is Jesus and friends, He didn’t ask for your vote. There was no transaction whereby you earned the right to have your name written in the Book of Life. Rather, it was a free gift which you accepted. And believe it or not, folks on all ends of the political spectrum have acknowledged Jesus as Lord and will populate heaven. As Bishop Desmond Tutu famously said, “We may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners. His standards are quite low.” After all, He promises to admit sinner like us, right?

The days after something as profoundly divisive as the election we all just experienced are ripe for conflict. There’s a reason shops in many cities are boarded up; there’s a long history throughout recent history of such events resulting in loss of life and property throughout the globe. Just because it hasn’t happened regularly here since the 1800s doesn’t mean we’re immune. I think we all feel that palpably in 2024.

But, as followers of Christ, what should our response to unexpected defeat or long-sought victory be? Should we hide our very real emotions? Of course not. But we should always remember two things.

1. Remember the Samaritan.

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’  Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” — Luke 10:29-37

Samaritans and Jews hated one another. In the simplest of terms, their issues were primarily rooted in religious and political differences. They actually worshipped Yahew, adhered to the festivals, and studied the Pentateuch. Jesus using the example of a Samaritan as a neighbor is a profound message for us today.

2. Love those who persecute you.

 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. —Matthew 5:44-48

Jesus made it clear that even— no, especially— those who are against us are worthy of our love, compassion, and prayers. That means your neighbor with the obnoxious yard signs and the guy on the street spitting condemnation at those who don’t share his views. Is it hard to love someone who doesn’t align with what you see as good and right? Oh, yes. But Jesus didn’t say it would be easy. He just said to do it.

As I write this, there have been no acts of violence attributed to the election results, and I’m sure you’re with me in continuing to pray that this remains the case. But join me, please, in praying that those who claim Christ will also be humble in these days. Join me in asking God that His people represent Him well, no matter whether their socks are red or blue. Join me in being a voice that reminds our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are not merely Republicans or Democrats, but children of the Most High God, and should behave in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1-2)— not for the sake of a false unity, but for the sake of the Gospel, that we might be used to lead others to Christ.

In His Name,

Heather