Peeking over the Fence
Hi, friends.
We’re all tired of talking about the USA presidential election. I don’t know that I have anything unique to offer; during political upheaval or big splashes on the news, I tend to sit back and watch. I wait. I ponder. I ask questions and have conversations. I rarely feel like I can pull my thoughts together well enough to write about it.
Sure, I journal about things, but I don’t usually put my thoughts out there for everyone to read.
And here I am. (I still don’t know that I have my thoughts all together well enough, but here we go.)
There has been an explosion on Threads (the previously non-existent little sister of X) as millions exit X in search of a less-right-wing social platform. My Instagram has been liberally peppered (see what I did there?) with women and minority groups searching for community and solidarity as they mourn the election result.
Truthfully, I don’t understand the result myself. I mourn, too. I mourn on behalf of the women and girls, the people of colour, and the people of various sexual orientations who will feel more ostracized because a white, middle-aged felon became president.
Yes, I know that women and people of colour and various sexual orientations voted Red. I don’t understand it at all.
It’s more than the political platform; it’s about the questionable morals of the leader. It’s about the melding of Christianity into Americanism and how the message of the entire political race has been one that identifies with Christianity but doesn’t look a whit like Jesus.
Backstabbing, name-calling, slurs.
Groping women, rape, racism, bribery, and corruption.
This is not the way of Jesus.
And I’m afraid.
I’m afraid of what this means for the direction of not only the USA, but also Canada and the entire world. The United States of America have been forerunners in so many ways. They have been admired (and sometimes hated), and like it or not, have decided the trajectory for much of the world’s recent history.
What will happen when hate and name-calling are the norm? When “me-first” results in running down the immigrants, foreigners, poor, and minority groups? What will our world look like in four years?
Donald Trump carries tremendous power. He literally has the power to change the world, and he knows it.
Will he use it for good?
Many public patterns of behaviour suggest not. I’m afraid to hope otherwise.
But what does this mean for Canada? For the world?
In the past eight years, since Trump’s first election in 2016, I’ve seen a rise in loud, abrasive behaviour in Canada. Alberta, my home province, has always been more politically conservative than most of the country, and it has become increasingly more polarized in the past eight years.
Sure, the pandemic and our own prime minister’s questionable edicts didn’t help. That’s another conversation altogether.
In my role as a physiotherapist, I spoke with a man who recently had a total knee replacement. When I asked whether he had social support present following his surgery, he named his coworkers, and then said, “My family ostracized me after the Coutts border protests.”
His family cut him out for his political beliefs.
Politics have always been fraught, but I’m not sure if things have felt this tense since the Cold War. Maybe I’m overstating. Maybe that’s just my perspective because I’m a millennial and haven’t lived through the wars or nuclear threats of the 20th century.
Canadians, let’s not kid ourselves. American politics bears a great deal of influence on our lives. Some are cheering alongside the Republican president-elect and naming a great victory in God’s name, and some are weeping in sorrow and desperately tamping down anger, feeling as if God has abandoned them.
I don’t know what to say in response. We Canadians and other nations have absolutely zero power in the matter, yet we will be changed by this event, for better or worse.
With great power comes great responsibility, right?
My church has been working our way through 1 Timothy this fall, and I have been struck by the timeliness of Paul’s message to Timothy.
“The goal of this command (i.e. the letter) is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim. 1:5)
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority,that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
“Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:11-12)
Ah, the sword of the Spirit, which cuts my heart in two.
I feel the need for justice against those who have been wronged by those in power.
I also desperately feel the need for peace. Shalom — the goodness of living a whole and good life.
I feel the tension of well-meaning, faithful Christians on either side of the political spectrum, some of whom are trying to understand the other (on either side) while others fling words of judgment and hate.
Please understand me. I have my personal biases and perspectives based on my gender, class, nationality, and experiences. These are not the only biases and perspectives in the world. I would love to hear from others. I would love to understand different perspectives.
That’s the thing — we’ve forgotten to hold space for those who are different from us. We’ve forgotten how to disagree with one another and still respect one another.
I’m very aware of how stating any opinion in a public space can be entirely misunderstood. Please hear me. I’m trying to sort out what faithful living looks like in this political climate, just like you.
Do I have strong opinions on certain matters or persons? Yes.
However, I am seeking to follow the way of Jesus, and that means that I have to love people. Like he does. Yes, even those who do much harm.
It also means that I have to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. Unjust behaviour will not do, especially if perpetuated in God’s holy name.
Friends, do you have ideas, thoughts, or experiences about how we can love our neighbours—those international or those next door—well? I’d love to hear them!
The conversation isn’t finished; it has just begun.
I’ll leave you with a brief prayer as we seek to live faithfully in this world together:
May we make space for those who are unlike us. May we seek justice in ways that heal, not tear down. May we loosen our grip on our political opinions long enough to see and hear the person standing next to us. May we love in word and deed. Amen.
Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash.
