Monday night as I was doing some church work at home on the computer, I had the television on waiting for the Monday night football game to start. After a few minutes I stopped working, found the TV remote and PUNCHED THE MUTE BUTTON! I couldn’t take the constant political ads demonizing one candidate or the other from senator to governor to dog catcher, and it’s still two weeks to go to the election! Really, does your political opponent seriously want to see senior citizens starving, the police force abolished or dogs running wild in the streets? Please, let’s sit down and take a few deep breaths. I’d like to say a few words about life after the election. What will we do after the election when one group of people is sure the country is being redeemed and the other group of voters is sure the country is on the road to destruction?

I am drawn to Jesus’ conversation with a lawyer in Luke 10:25-28. “Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’” I see the past several months of rich discussion and shouting accusations as a time when we have been preparing to test each other. Now, with the campaigns nearing their end we are about to discover if we can, on Wednesday morning November 9, live out the teaching of Jesus to focus on God and love one another.

First, let’s take a step back from the commercials and journey to church on Sunday, November 6. Many churches throughout the nation celebrate Holy Communion that day. This will be an opportunity to remember that we are a forgiven and forgiving people. When Jesus, the disciples, and others celebrated the Passover meal they did so knowing that many of the disciples didn’t understand most of Jesus’ teachings. The disciples argued about the important issues of the day and some tried to convince Jesus that they were better than the others and they, not the others, should sit at Jesus’ right hand in heaven. Jesus welcomed them to the table. He continued to speak to them. He blessed them. He knew that in just a few hours they would twist his words, curse his name, and fight not for him but for themselves. In the midst of all this Jesus forgave them and fed them. Please come to church November 6 and sit at the Lord’s Table with fellow Christians to be fed, to forgive and be forgiven.

Next, let’s turn off our TV’s and other electronic devices that keep us in touch with the world and also allow those advertisements to infiltrate our worlds. Let’s sit in silence for a while and seek God’s will for us for the future. I believe that the Greatest Commandment is still the best word for us to carry in our hearts as we move into the coming years. There will be new issues which will become all-important. The political commentators will always have something to talk about; always have something that is “threatening the very fabric of society.” Instead of listening to them, find a time and place where you feel closest to God and journey through prayer, seeking God’s will so you can best love your neighbor.

Finally, come to church November 13 (hopefully, we’ll have the final results from Tuesday’s vote). We’ll take time to thank God for our elected leaders.

The world we live in is occasionally difficult place to be. We find our hearts, minds, and souls pulled in many directions, many of which are unhealthy for individuals and for the community. The church is the place to encounter the One who loves us and helps us to become whole people. We find that here, with other believers, Jesus is working to reconcile all people to God. This is a healthy place to be.

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’”

Peace and Grace,

Pastor Mike

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Kelly Brown

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