“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Usually, my Daily Blessings revolve around some cute anecdote or learning from my family. Today, I thought I’d give some thoughts on the inauguration.

It doesn’t matter who you voted for in this election. You may be thrilled today; you may be disappointed. There are 80 million people who think that America is headed in the right direction, and 75 million who think it’s not. That doesn’t change who is moving into the Oval Office.

You know what also doesn’t change? Our call as Christians to love our neighbor as ourselves. This election cycle has been vicious. The post-election responses were disturbing. I’ve heard conspiracy theories from both sides. I’ve watched people completely dismantle each other on social media based on what they believe is right. I’ve gotten lost reading hateful arguments based purely on differing political opinions. It’s all exhausting.

So, whether the person you voted for is taking office today or not, let’s take a deep breath, say a prayer, and put our Christian love on display. Now is the time to bring the nation together in love – Democrats, Republicans, and those vehemently against picking a side all together. The first step is be humble and love your neighbor as yourself.

Emalee Sugano   

Lord, please bless this country, its leadership, and its people as we embark on a new four-year journey. May we demonstrate your love at every opportunity, and become closer as neighbors, Americans, and people. Amen

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  Romans 8:38

Lately it seems like every conversation I am a part of begins and ends with the state of our world and the fear and worry over not knowing what is going to happen, especially in this upcoming week.  We are inundated with news.  Social media is full of opinions.  The pandemic is the worst than it’s ever been and there are concerns over peace, injustices and our democratic processes.  It’s all a bit overwhelming.  Our world seems divided and I find myself praying more than ever before. 

A few days ago while reading Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation from the Center for Action and Contemplation I was inspired by words of civil rights leader John Lewis taken from the book John Lewis with Brenda Jones, Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America.  

“Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. Know that the truth always leads to love and the perpetuation of peace. Its products are never bitterness and strife. Clothe yourself in the work of love, in the revolutionary work of nonviolent resistance against evil. Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this planet with goodness. Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself. “

Today is also the day we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Marty recently shared this quote from him that resonated with me…“I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear.”   This quote, and the passage above, are powerful words by two influential people who dedicated their lives to making our world a better, more equitable  and united, place. I find comfort and inspiration in knowing that the message from both of these leaders who lived through such dark times align with Jesus’ message of love. God is love and if we let love guide our actions, thoughts and conversations…then maybe we can create a path for growth and healing and hopefully help bring justice, peace and unity to our world.   

The answer is always LOVE…and what the world needs now, more than ever, is MORE love. 

Dear Loving God, may we be rooted and grounded in Your Love.  May we be free to grow in grace and compassion.  May we practice gratitude and find joy, even in the hard seasons of life.  May we feel peace and go and BE peace in the world.  Amen.

Leyla

hen Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’ — Matthew 19:23-26

As a “cradle Christian” I am sometimes a little envious of those who come to faith later in life. I mean, sure, it has been wonderful to know that God loves me, comforts me, heals me, reconciles me, welcomes me and goes with me since before I ever knew what it was to be alone, rejected, broken, hurting, or ignored; before I knew anger, hatred, guilt or shame. But having known it all of my life means I miss the thrill of that first discovery at a time when I can really appreciate it. 

I wouldn’t trade it, mind you. I have been blessed to have experienced the Word of God spoken, sung, and acted out since birth. But this means that sometimes I miss past the power of the words when the are heard for the first time. Take the above passage, for example. I read it, and with years of Sunday School, Seminary, Bible Study and sermons behind me, I automatically go to “well, the ‘eye of the needle’ can refer to a narrow opening in a gate. On the other hand, some scholars point out that the word translated ‘camel’ is very close to the word for rope…” And I blow right past the fact that Jesus is saying something outrageous! Whether it is a camel trying to squeeze through a doggy door, or a ship’s line trying to be threaded to a sewing needle, it is a ridiculous image. It is meant to startle. It can even be funny. Jesus means to evoke a response. And he does. His closest followers are aghast at his words; “…they were greatly astonished.” My job as a preacher is to make it come alive again. 

Jesus came to shake us out of our complacency. But it is not just our Savior who uses such rhetorical devices to get our attention. The teachers, prophets, priests, songwriters, evangelists, and apostles all use words and deeds to gain attention and to make the message stick. It was necessary to be heard, to be understood, and frankly, to compete.

Everything seems bigger, louder, and flashy-er that ever before. This is a time of extremes. This is an era of outrage. Just listen to talk radio. (Better yet, don’t!) For the past few years the word “unprecedented” has been used by newscasters and pundits so often that it has lost all meaning. For the past year we have lived in through an epidemic unlike anything we have seen for 100 years.  We need a God who can meet us at the extremes. And we need a Word that will grab and hold our attention.

Go back to the Word. Listen to the voice of God. Let it surprise you.

Speak, O God, for your children are listening. Break through our complacency. Allow us to hear you above all the noise. Come to us in the quiet of our lonely room. Tell us again and again that you love us, and made us to act in love for each other. Calm our outrage for the experienced slight. Give us room for empathy. Send us on your new path. Through Jesus we pray. Amen.