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We are deep into election season, and, if I’m honest, I’m already over campaign ads. Is anyone else exhausted? Tired of hearing the bickering and sniping? Anguished about what comes next?
Rose Schrott Taylor, Digital Content Editor of The Presbyterian Outlook, a periodical based in Richmond, wrote some words in her email today that give me hope. She was referencing a reflection of a character in Kristin Hannah’s book The Women (about a nurse in Vietnam), the subtext of which is the question “How can there be a future when our country is so divided?"
In my opinion, the short answer, of course, is that there can’t be—at least, not a future that we can look forward to, and certainly not a future of shalom.
But then Taylor reminds me in her email that “this is what humans have done for centuries. We've wondered if a future is possible while simultaneously walking in a forward direction. We can marvel at the growing chasm between us while loving our neighbor, building community and planning for the next season. The future may seem unknown, but all around us, people are choosing to align themselves with their neighbors, to love, to hope. The ripples of Christ's resurrection are visible if we look for them.”
This is something I’ve needed to hear for a couple of weeks now. When we are disappointed with each other—or disappointing each other—we must remember to love, and to hope. To give grace and to take care of each other. To build community and plan for the next season.
The future IS unknown, but we can all walk towards it together, step by step, arm in arm, heart to heart, standing strong in our faith in the One who came show us what God’s kingdom looks like, and how we can help make it so.
So, I will work toward holding onto hope in these tumultuous times, while at the same time holding each of you in my heart with love.
Be encouraged, build up one another, and pursue shalom!
Lou
Rev. Dr. Lou Ventura
revventura@gbpres.org
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