This last presidential campaign was an example of this division as it promoted an 'us' versus 'them' mentality. It gave society the permission to bully, ridicule, taunt, and disrespect not only individuals but entire groups of people. And even though we have taught our children that that type of behavior is never rewarded, it was. And now we have a new president elect. I was as shocked as many of you may have been when I woke up Wednesday morning. My first response was that he would never be my president and I would never utter the words President Trump. But then I realized that that choice would make me no better than those who have disrespected and ridiculed President Obama for the last eight years. I could not stoop that low.
We call this country the United States of America. But we are a nation of immigrants; both voluntarily seeking a better life or involuntarily brought here in the cargo hold of slave ship. And it is strange to me that this nation has not and continues to not be accepting or dare I even say fair to those the mainstream deem as unworthy of justice and respect including those Native Americans who were here first.
This election has caused an outburst of so many emotions. Many have taken to the streets in both peaceful and violent protests. Many are fearful of what the new administration will bring. We wonder what will happen to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). We wonder about taxes, schools, our nation's relationships with other countries, the environment, our freedoms, and so much more.
But this election is a wake up call for me as a citizen. It is a reminder that I must contact my senators, congress, and local elected officials to demand that my voice be heard. I can't afford to set back and allow others to make decisions that may not only affect me but my daughter, grandson, and generations to come. This is a wake up call for me as a Christian, a baptized believer in the Risen Christ, and a member of the church that we, the church, must be about our Father's business in meeting the needs of others. It's not just about the Sunday morning service with preaching, prayers, and hymns. But it is about educating, counseling, and empowering each other to do whatever we can do to build up the Kingdom of God. And to lead God's people to live transformed lives by seeking righteousness, justice, and economic independence for themselves and all of those whose lives they touch.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." History will tell whether we lived as brothers and sisters or died as fools.