Eyes on the Prize

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders 

and the sin that so easily entangles, 

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

--Hebrews 12:1

(No, this is not another Happy Meal blog. But if you missed that one, it's back on October 13, 2011. Try it, you'll like it!)

We have just wrapped up what has been, easily, the most challenging election season in my lifetime. There have been phenomenal amounts of money poured into advertising at all levels, from state senators to the top office in the land, advertising that seemed bent not on telling voters what the candidate would do for us, but what the other guy (or gal) would do to the country.

Ugly, ugly, ugly. 

This great nation took a sharp turn and, for the last several months, took her eyes off the prize. We could so easily have wound up in a ditch.

Remember when Bill Clinton ran for office, and it came out that there were signs strategically posted at his campaign offices that said, plainly, IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID? So when the conversation started down a rabbit trail, those engaged would be abruptly reminded of the single, most important issue of the election. And in the end, the nation benefited. Focus was maintained (for the most part).

So now here we are. 

We have re-elected President Barack Obama for another four years. And we have also re-elected many of our senators and representatives to their offices for another term. And just as importantly-- we did not re-elect some whose thoughts, speech or lives had become detrimental to their continuing in office. (Aside: Do not make "consensual rape" a political talking point and expect to garner female fans. But I digress.)

It is time to stop pounding those plowshares into swords. It is time to go to work-- for peace, for hope and for one another.

It is time to remember, again, that we are all of one family. And families are built and nurtured and transformed, not by beatings or bilious speech, but by love. By building one another up, not by tearing down. 

Mother Teresa said this: We belong to each other. And we belong to God.

Now I will add this: I am a believer in separation of church and state. I do not believe we should elect someone to office based on his dogma or creed. I am thrilled we have a Buddhist and a Hindu now in Congress-- but I wish it weren't such a big deal. I am hopeful they won simply because their lives exhibited the characteristics of leadership desired by their home states.

But here's the deal: I do not believe in separation of God and state, or God from state. I believe any group or individual fortunate enough to have won the right to speak for me in Congress or the White House also speaks as one granted that right-- by the Almighty. Not by a Christian God or a Muslim god, but by the single, all-power-filled Creator, without whom nothing-- nothing is possible.

Without whose grace our very next breath does not happen.

So now, beginning today, it is time to refocus our vision. It is time to stop and to pray-- in whatever form that action might take for you. 

It is time to listen for the heartbeat of the Spirit that dwells within each of us, and to discern-- not a partisan, small-minded, self-benefiting agenda, but the huge, healing vision of God. 

We have stumbled recently. There is no denying that one. The international press has been all over the "leading nation of the world," reminding us that we are fallible. We have wound up stalled out, in a ditch-- almost overturned, at times. 

And we now have the chance to right ourselves, brush off the dirt and seaweed, smooth our wrinkled clothing, straighten our hair-- and step out in faith. 

Let the healing begin. And let it begin with prayer.

Most gracious One, thankfully we come before you and are reminded that our human elections never, for one moment, threatened your sovereignty or your reign. Help us, Lord. Grant us the grace to bring about true change in this place, one smile, one meal, one life at a time. Change me, Lord, that I might change the world. Amen.