| How we ‘vote’ on November 6th and Everyday…
Like many of you, I was up late into the morning hours watching the results of the 2024 Presidential Election and other down-ballot races. I’ve spent the better part of today trying to put into words what I feel and how I am able to ‘show up’ for people in this moment. I’ve read some social media posts from friends, connected with a few people close to me, but mostly tried to just process my own complex (and sleep-deprived) thoughts. I keep circling back to the final message of the Politics & Power sermon series and the story of Rizpah…the mother who lost her two sons to a political maneuver, but courageously kept loving and serving and showing up until those in power finally took notice.
For some people the results last night were disheartening, jarring, and frustrating.
For some people the results last night were vindicating, exciting, and thrilling.
And still for others, the results last night create real fear.
I’d like to take a moment to write to each of those groups of people. These thoughts are one-part pastoral, one-part personal, and all meant to be given in love.
To those who are disheartened, jarred, and frustrated…
Your heart will hurt when hope feels dashed. Anger will be quick to rise up from your gut, and wants to lash out at whatever target is closest. Disillusionment and bewilderment will flood your senses. It’s okay to cry, shake your fist, and want to scream. It’s okay if these feelings last longer than other people think they should. It’s okay if you feel these things in your body and need some self-care…our bodies tend to keep score when our brains tell us we should move on. It’s also okay if you find yourself doing better than you expected.
Feel all of the feelings. Take all the deep breaths. Go for all the long walks. Listen to all the podcasts or ignore everything. But then the question will become – what are you going to do now? If you’re angry, where will you direct that anger. Will it go towards making the divides in our country more deeply engrained? Or, will it go towards reaching out to the hurting and scared and being a safe place? Will it go towards the hard next step of getting back to the work of compassion? How will you ‘vote’ on Nov 6th and everyday hereafter?
To those who are vindicated, excited, and thrilled…
Last night was a big night. You received good news after good news after good news. And there is excitement about what the next days, weeks, months, and four years will hold. There is hope that your vision for this country could come to fruition. It’s good to be happy.
For some of you, this excitement is because you have been all-in! You want to see all the promises kept. You want to see vindication at every level. For some of you, this moment is a tempered one. You are glad for the result, but nervous about what it could actually mean. Which parts of the vision were hyperbole and which were serious? Which promises were to attract votes, and which promises could really come to pass? Will the policies that you support be the ones acted upon, or will the parts that caused you pause be the first to be pushed forward?
Please remember that in winning there is a responsibility to lead. And leadership is about service. Seek understanding from those who are hurting. Don’t reject them or demean them. Give them space, while being ready to be hospitable. And even though your candidate(s) won on election night, you still get to ‘vote’ on November 6th and everyday hereafter. Be mindful of your posture.
To those who are fearful…
To my friends who are undocumented and have worked hard to provide a better life for your family…you are seen.
To my friends with Temporary Protected Status and have lived here for years or decades…you are seen.
To my friends who are trans and worry about access to health care and feel attacked by the millions of dollars in attack ads…you are seen.
To my friends who are women and worry about your reproductive health and access to life-saving care…you are seen.
To my friends who are concerned about the future of our planet and the needed response to climate change…you are seen.
To my friends who have been affected by gun violence and worry that change will never come…you are seen.
To my many other friends who are fearful for the myriad of reasons I failed to mention…we are here for you.
Don’t be in fear alone. Reach out and find safe spaces. When you are able, tell your story. You are a Rizpah!
November 5th was a day that our country voted. But tomorrow and everyday hereafter, we all continue to ‘vote’ by living into the type of body politic we want to be. May we choose one another. May we choose love. May we choose hope.
Sincerely,
Jason
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