On the eve of this election, my heart is aching. I am aching for several reasons.
I am aching because a good friend and I decided about a month or more ago, that we could not have any more political conversations. We have been friends for years and worked closely on boards, committees and the like. We’re still friends, but we discovered how far apart we really are on some hot topics. It changes things. The intensity is like a burn that leaves some scarring. So I am aching. And I am wondering how many other thousands of friends experience this same kind of damaged, stretched, strained cords of friendship. I am aching.
Second, I am aching because emails and postings from some acquaintances show how sharply they disagree with my views. Of course, I have friends who together with me view the issues agreeably and share our amazement at how the others could possibly not. The differences are not only sharp, but rather, nearly apocalyptic. The end is near, and down this road or that road is the abyss. Anyone who sees it differently must be either an enemy, a fool, or reprobate. This atmosphere has been whipped and fed by certain leaders, some on both sides who have sharp tongues. How I wish for the steady tones that might call us toward healing for our nation, healing from the strain for power and the ragged, rugged battles of words and threats.
Third, I am aching because our country as a whole seems to be experiencing the same kind of anxious tension, that feeling that we’re in a life and death struggle. That every soldier must get on the line, make the call, get out the vote because the opposite result will be something near doom. There are voices of calm here and there that try to remind us that this is not so, and our nation has had vigorous contests before. And I think I have written or spoken such words myself. But the damage to trust between citizens is still to be weighed. What happens after the election will be important. So I am aching for peace in our nation.
Finally, I am aching for a spiritual peace within me. That kind of peace that comes from settling my mind on Jesus, on his Kingship, his sovereignty, his presence here and now. I know he has won that towering majesty only by his suffering, his emptying himself. On this day I want to empty myself of self, empty myself of vengeful vanity, empty myself of selfishness, empty myself of fear. Because I want to be a faithful, not fearful follower of that Jesus. And to share that peace.
© 2020 Stanley Hagemeyer
Stan, I enjoyed your article and related to it very much as I actually lost a friend during this election cycle over political differences. My friend and I had been best friends for over 40 years. To top that, she is a Methodist minister. The reason for our rift was that I made a negative comment about the president on her Facebook page and I was attacked by several of her fellow ministers and other "friends," but instead of defending me or defusing the situation, in Facebook, in the public forum, she took me to task and informed me that I was in the wrong and I was not welcome to make any comments about the president on her Facebook…
We happen to be in a study of the Old Testament book of Daniel and it seems to jump off the pages that God is directly involved with his people and their problems. Today this can be God calling us to attention regarding our shortcomings, as well as it being our source of comfort. Where our earthly powers are frustratingly inadequate, his supernatural power is eternally adequate for those he loves and who love him. No matter what happens, our job is still the same, as you have said so well. Thank you for your meditation!
What a great post Stan. This year has been a year of differences and difficulties for sure. I also agreed with a friend that we simply could not discuss politics in order to remain friends. I have recently learned that it does not matter who our president is because God is still on the throne and is our King. God is good!