Dear friends,
How are you feeling after the American election?
Some of my friends have expressed a sense of triumph, like God has answered their prayers and America is destined for unprecedented greatness. Other friends have expressed a sense of despair, like the worst has happened and things are falling apart.
In this post-election polarization, I’d like to offer two responses.
The first is a sermon I gave on the Sunday after the election. In this message, I invite the community to refocus our attention on Jesus’ core teaching and how Jesus’ earliest followers sought to practice this teaching in the Roman Empire. It’s a call back to the basics, starting with an increased awareness of our vulnerability and belovedness. My sermon begins at minute 31 in the recording.
The second is a webinar that I did with Peter Anderson at Peace Catalyst. This open-hearted conversation focuses on post-election peacemaking and how Jesus’ Beatitudes can serve as our guide into this vital practice. I especially appreciated the questions at the end. One participant asked how we can resist slipping into “otheringland.” Another asked how we can talk about the election with people amidst deep disagreement. A listener from Arizona emailed me afterward and said the conversation made him feel less lonely and more hopeful as a follower of Jesus.
Whether you prefer a Sunday sermon or midweek conversation or both, I hope these resources are grounding and encouraging for you.
At heart, both are an invitation to resist giving our loyalty to any polarizing cultural movement, whether that leads us to feel triumphant over others or defeated by them. Both are an invitation to go deeper into our practice of Jesus’ way of humane happiness with others, starting with that increased awareness of our vulnerability and our divine belovedness.
Blessings of peace on your new week!
Andrew
PS: My new book Blessed Are the Others: Jesus’ Way in a Violent World is out now on Amazon and wherever books are sold! I warmly invite you to buy the book, leave a review on Amazon or GoodReads, and spread the word in your networks!
