Post-Election Spiritual Direction

by Rev. Mark E. Tidsworth, Founder and Team Leader

Our E-Newsletter could not be scheduled for a more dangerous time this week; early Wednesday morning after late night Tuesday election results. How in the world might I write anything worth sharing on this Monday morning before election Tuesday?

Well, actually, I do find myself ready to put pen to paper today, prepared for this moment by many previous consequential moments. I’ve fallen into a spiritual practice I picked up from many Christ-followers throughout history when encountering extreme challenge, needing a sustaining word from God. This spiritually invigorating practice begins with a very basic question which cuts through the noise in the moment, “What do I know?”

When it comes to trying circumstances, challenging situations, and moving through emotionally charged and consequential days, what do we know about God and God’s ways with us? What do we know deep in our bones, time-tested truths that sustain and empower? What do we know that endures, regardless of princes and principalities of this world?

This spiritual practice of engaging this question itself reminds us that we are part of something deeper, more enduring and sustainable than the current geo-political landscape. We are swimming in the current of God’s energy, flowing through this world since before time existed. We participate with God’s mission to reconcile and restore planet earth, come what may in the moment. This spiritual practice itself, it turns out, connects us with the deep current of God which temporal events cannot change. For this, I’m deeply grateful.

So now, back to the question. If you’ve been in some of my presentations, this question is not new to you. I invite participants to consider their answers, yet I also ask them to ponder their answers in the following days, recognizing this is not a small question. What do we know, deep in our bones, when the world around us shifts?

Please give yourself the gift of time and space to allow your answers to find you. In the meantime, here are mine on this Monday morning before a Tuesday election.

• God’s mission goes onward, regardless of who wins this American election.

• God equips God’s people to do what God calls them to do.

• A Church that embodies God’s love is needed more now than before this election.

• The influence of Jesus-followers and God’s Church is needed in the public square more than before this election.

• God’s Church is not dependent on political candidates nor political favor for success.

This is what I know, along with many saints before me. What about you and your church? What do you individually and collectively know? Perhaps this is a good time to facilitate spiritual exploration, inviting your people into the discussion.

Thanks be to God that what we know is enough, far more than enough, for the living of these days.