In chaos, lead with love
God is at work in your wins, and in your losses.
From Richard Rohr in 2017, reposted a few days ago, emphasis mine:
“Is there anything happening in America today that would make you think we believe we should ‘love our enemies’? If Christians do not decide to finally be like Jesus, then let’s just give up on this whole Christian thing. It does’t mean anything! If it’s just going to church on Sunday, then we have to stop pretending we’re following Jesus, because we’re just like everybody else—we are into power and money and deceit and war. If we do not preach the gospel, if we do not begin to live the gospel now, then let’s stop pretending that we care about Jesus or about following Jesus.”
I am still new to being a Christian, but this sure rings true to me. Being a Christian means, first and foremost, living like Jesus and loving like Jesus. It means loving your enemy and praying for those who persecute you, as Jesus taught us, even if your chosen political team loses an election. Even if you believe an election has been stolen. Even if you fear your nation is moving in the wrong direction. Even if you fear things are only going to get worse and worse.
If you really believe in Jesus, you live it. You aspire to be more like him. You pray to be guided by him. His way is clear, for those who truly choose to follow him.
If you truly follow Jesus, you know God’s will is being done in every moment. God is at work in your wins, and God is at work in your losses. God is at work in your heart, and God is at work in your enemies. Right now, today. God is at work. You are being tested. We are all being tested.
Trust in God. And follow Jesus. Choose love. Don’t submit to fear.
This is not about who I’m voting for or who you’re voting for. Yes, I am on a team. Yes, I sometimes fear for my nation’s future. I hope, for everyone’s sake, that my team wins. But this is beside the point. These fears and hopes are secondary to my faith and trust in God and my love for humanity. My love for my family, for my friends, and for my enemy.
This is about us. It’s about how we respond to wins and how we respond to losses, even if we believe the outcome was unjust or stolen. It’s about how we engage with other human beings through challenge and conflict. It’s about who we are and how we engage with the world.
All of which is to say, as we move through this time, and into whatever comes next: We have a choice to make. If you are a Christian, I believe the clear choice is to follow Jesus, which means loving your enemies whether you win or lose. If you are not a Christian, I believe the clear choice is essentially the same: Lead with love. Lead with grace. Lead with forgiveness and compassion.
Lead with love and lead with grace when you talk to your children and your parents and your loved ones about politics. Speak strongly for what you believe is true, but do not slander your enemies.
There is no gain in slandering your enemies. There is no gain in judging your loved ones who have been lost to whichever side you consider the dark side, or deeming them beyond reclamation. There is no gain in engaging others with malice or condemnation. They are not yours to condemn. Instead, be like Jesus and pray for them. Remember: They know not what they do.
This may be the great challenge of our age. God has placed us in this position, in this moment of history, as a test. Will we choose love or fear? Love or anger? Love or pride? Love or judgment? Love or hate?
This, I beseech you: Choose love. Vote with love. Lead with love.
In other words, follow Jesus.