Good morning, Siblings in Christ.
While the campaigning and reporting leading up to today has focused on differences and divisions, I encourage you to remember that as children of God, we are all members of the same body of Christ. We may hold differing opinions on candidates and policies, but nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Today and the days ahead, until the election results are clear, will undoubtedly be days filled with anxiety and uncertainty, so I invite you to join me in these five practices.
- Be still. Follow the advice of the Psalmist and take a moment to be still and know that God is with you (Psalm 46:10).
- Participate in the electoral process. Put on your mask to provide a layer of COVID-19 protection and go vote.
- Read Romans 12:9-21. Paul offers good advice on living out your faith in daily life and those teachings seem particularly appropriate to remember in today’s world.
- Research, don’t Retweet. Before you retweet, repost, or become excited or enraged about something you see online or in the news, research the topic, look for multiple points of view on the story, and determine if the information is true and accurately reported. Spreading disinformation only serves to create distrust and inflame passions. We are called to peacemaking.
- Pray. Pray for wisdom for leaders. Pray for unity in our country. Pray for a free and fair election. Pray for patience. Pray for your neighbors. Pray for poll workers. Pray for hope.
God is with us. May God’s Spirit guide us, and, may God’s presence be with you, with our Synod, and with our country on this important day.
—Bishop Bob Humphrey, Virginia Synod, ELCA
