Good morning…
There is a delicate pathway forward through our various sands of thought. As you can imagine, an avalanche of passionate responses were set off by yesterday’s post “Who Will You Vote For?” I am choosing to share some with you anonymously, just so we can hold open the arms of our heart to receive all of these cells of belief, like multiple grains of sand on our common vast shore.
Cell of belief #1 – I like many woke up yesterday with a creepy “hate hangover.” And I know that is a strong word that I don’t like using but it’s how I felt. Tried praying about it but here come all the distractions of this world closing in. I’m going to follow your lead as I often try to do and pray about this election. It just can’t go on this way. To be honest I believe my biggest fear now is a Civil War no matter who wins.
Cell of belief #2 – For me, I decided on one issue LONG LONG ago when it comes to voting for a President. Abortion. Killing of babies is the most abhorrent/insulting-to-God action a person can do on this earth. God speaks to me that he created life, and He has a purpose in his kingdom for each baby, just like for us. Thousands of potential cures/caring/love/hope are extinguished EACH YEAR with the killing of a baby. Jesus IS weeping. His plan for his kingdom is wiped out. All other election issues are man-created and related. Changeable. A baby is God-created and abortion is unchangeable. I truly, Sue, do not understand how/why some people can compromise this issue in their voting choice.
Cell of belief #3 – In this election, I find the focus on abortion without regard to the lives lost in other ways (Covid, capital punishment, poverty, civil rights, food insecurity, etc.) to be a pretty hollow and willfully blind argument. In fact, it angers me a lot. I am still hopeful for this election and for our country, but the fact that so many people are still willing to support the current administration has really shaken my faith in God and in America. I will try to lean more into trusting God but I also plan to be his hands and feet in every way that I can and to do justice, seek mercy and walk humbly with God.
Cell of belief #4 – The Prayer Chapel is open Monday-Thursday 7:30-5:00 and Friday-Sunday 7:30-2:00. I thought you might want to encourage those you know that this resource is available to anyone in our community, not exclusively for Northside members. There is the powerful promise contained in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which many are familiar, “IF my people who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will hear their land.” It seems a rather appropriate call for such a time as this.
Cell of belief #5 – I have heard people trying to make this political mess an urgent matter for prayer, quoting Scriptures like 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will hear their land.” But I wonder which wicked ways they are talking about. Turn from white supremacy and the pain it has inflicted all of these years? Turn from gang violence, police violence, domestic violence, gun violence? Turn from killing people through abortion, through police brutality, through unjust incarceration, through drug addiction, through global warming (brought on by our careless disregard for God’s earth), through Coronavirus (refusing to wear a mask), and the list goes on. It seems we think the destructive ways of “others” is the problem. I think we need to start in our own hearts. We each need to pray “What wicked ways are in me?” And really listen and learn.
Cell of belief #6 – Sue, I gotta tell you that I have been bugged all morning by the notion in your post that there is any equivalency between the words and actions of the two candidates for president. I’m certainly not as familiar with the Bible as some, but I recall that Jesus got justifiably angry and used insulting words sometimes in rebuke. I believe that there is in fact a moral choice this time. I also know many people don’t like drawing parallels between the rise of the Third Reich and our current president, but I am genuinely quite worried. I am signed up to be an official poll watcher and when I signed up months ago, it never occurred to me that I might be risking physical danger (other than possible exposure to Covid), but now I am. I never thought that would be the case in America.
Cell of belief #7 – Hi. No need to respond, but thank you for discussing the topic on so many minds! First my head pounded during the debate… then my stomach churned and shoulders tensed. Not much sleep that night and felt so sad all day the next day. What an upsetting, outrageous display! When I calmed down a bit, I knew I was to pray for the person on stage who was so repugnant to me personally…. But was made by God. I really don’t know how to pray for this person but am trying to remain open to God’s leading. Anyway, thank you for your bold and timely messages. (I know who I am voting for :). But, golly, we need prayer and God’s guidance!
Cell of belief #8 – “I wish we could write-in God on Nov 3!” “I am not listening to any news or debates. Just God♥️ Praying Psalm 35 for our nation and the tremendous divide.” “I don’t think I’m going to vote.”
Now, I am going to ask you a few questions. Which cell of belief bothers you the most, absolutely gets under your skin? What insight might that person’s perspective bring to our dinner table? What is the root beneath each person’s pain? Would you be willing to pray with me to understand more deeply each cells of belief and all of the people raying off from these diverse perspectives?
My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due (1 Corinthians 4:3-5, NLT).
…Sue…
