If You Want Empty Platitudes or False Promises That Everything Will Be Fine, Don't Read This
We can't change the future if we deny painful truths about our current reality
Terrified, enraged, disillusioned, devastated … I’ve felt all of these emotions since Tuesday’s election. So has everyone else I’ve spoken to.
As a white cisgender heterosexual woman who is too old to get pregnant, I don’t have as much to fear as my non-white, LGBTQ+, and younger female friends do. But that doesn’t make me feel any better.
Part of me is exhausted, overwhelmed, and wants to give up. It reminds me that love doesn’t always conquer hate in my own heart, let alone my country and the world.
Sometimes it’s tempting to listen to that part.
But I couldn’t live with myself if I did. I think it’s more important than ever (at least in my lifetime) to love others as ourselves and advocate for justice. I refuse to let the cruelty, lies, and corruption of those who wield their power as a weapon against anyone they perceive as a threat go unchallenged.
I probably won’t be tortured or killed for daring to challenge those who abuse their power. But even if I am, I’d rather die because I stood up for and with marginalized people than live because I stayed silent.
And if enough of us stand together, we can change the world. We can create a better future. We may not live to see that future, but we can help bring it about.
Our lights may be dim and flickering now, but they can still help us and others get through dark times.
Pastor Jim Rigby said it well in his Facebook post (read the full post here):
History is a never ending story. There is no finish line in the race for human rights. Our purpose is not to “win” rights once and for all within our own time. Our calling is to be a faithful part of the LONG unfolding story of humankind in victory AND defeat.
It is a life well lived to learn and teach the love that grows into justice for all. In fact, the bleaker our conditions, the more the light of love will shine. Throughout history, human rights have been won by noble souls willing to lose political battles to teach the deeper principles that would include us all.
Wendi thank you. I ping pong around my emotions realizing I'm angry because I'm hurting so much. Each of us has three basic needs.... safety, belonging, and dignity. Right now it's my sense of belonging that is threatened . Who are these strangers I live amongst? I thought we wanted the same kind of community... One of caring, support, respect, kindness, and were willing to pay for it, to work for it, and sacrifice for it. However more than 50% don't seem to care or out right only want it for themselves. Like you I die to defend the Vision but as Gandhi said not kill for it. Nonviolence is the only way to peace. Blessings on your ministry.