No Crystal Balls Available

by Rev. Debra Griffis-Woodberry

I checked it twice. The Pinnacle E-News schedule established months ago really did say that my next article in the Pinnacle E-news rotation was due on Monday, November 2, 2020, before publishing on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. What will my audience need to read on the Wednesday following the much-anticipated US election on Tuesday? There is no way to pen words today that can specifically address the events of this election. There are no crystal balls in anyone’s pastoral tool kit, nor are there any magic wands to wave and suddenly repair our brokenness. I suggest three considerations for guidance as we go forward.

Expect and prepare for turbulence.

  • People will be angry and feel despair if their candidates lose. Others will feel relieved and happy if their candidates win. With the strong possibility that we will not yet know the winners and losers on the morning after the election, there will be deep anxiety all around.

  • The turbulent atmosphere enhances opportunities for anger and fear to cause hurtful, even violent actions.

Remember and remind others of things which do not change.

  • It will always be true that anyone we look in the eyes is someone God loves.

  • Our mission as the Christian Church is to be about kingdom building. The kingdom of God is housed in no country or government. The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount provide guidance for kingdom building.

  • As Christians, our primary identity is that we are children of God. Wherever and however we find ourselves God’s love and grace remain in place.

Focus on being Christlike

  • During this turbulent season, we search for words to say and actions to take as clergy and lay leaders of the church. A best practice is to focus on the primary teachings of scripture.

  • Recall “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 37-39)

  • “Love is patient and kind, does not boast…, it does not dishonor others…, Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…Now three things abide; faith hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.” (1st Corinthians 13)

  • “… God, who reconciled himself to us through Christ, gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” (2nd Corinthians 5:18)

It remains an exciting time in history to be disciples of Jesus on mission to transform the world. For courage, insight and wisdom, we pray. Amen.

Mark TidsworthElection Week, No Crystal Ball, Focus on Being Christlike