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Hi Lisa,
I must say, I rather like Mike Myers recent message to Canadians to keep our ‘elbows up.’ For those who don’t know, it’s a reference that brings to mind Gordie Howe, an NHL player who was famous for using his elbows when he went into the corners during a hockey game. It’s a reference to fighting back when things are getting rough out there.
Things are getting rough out there for Canadians. Politically, it seems that our cross-border friendship has become a bit shaky. Should we put our elbows up? As Anabaptists and pacifists, I would argue that we should — but probably very differently than Gordie Howe did.
Back in 1998, Walter Wink wrote a book called The Powers That Be. He writes very insightfully about powers and systems that can be political, economic, social or religious. All of them can take on a life of their own and do tremendous harm.
What I like best about Wink’s writing is his perspective on what we ought to do in response to these powers. It is to follow the way of Jesus — who faced the superpower empire of his day by inviting us to love our enemy, go the extra mile (when conscripted by a Roman soldier to carry his gear) and to take on the role of the lowliest servant (the one to wash the feet of guests).
In these last few weeks, I have observed the way of Jesus in Canadian volunteers heading to help our neighbours in the U.S. Not a single scheduled volunteer cancelled because of current tensions with ‘the powers that be.’ Every one of them put their elbows up… to lift rafters, drywall and paint. Elbows up to clear airport security, make and serve food, and wave goodbye to new friends made. Elbows up to hang a towel on their arm as they take up the washbasin in Jesus’ name.
Thank you for sharing Christ’s love in uncertain times,
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