sigh...no more

Like many around me, I am truly breathing a sigh of relief that the bitterly contested presidency has finally been decided. In one of the most both vitriolic and garrulous election seasons, we all really need just to stop and take a huge deep breath and just...sigh. Yes, sigh. I think that is the perfect word for right now. According to The Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of sigh is,”to take a deep audible breath (as in weariness or relief),to make a sound like sighing  sighing in the branches>, grieve,yearn,”. So, I would be willing to say, that both weariness and relief is surely a feeling many of us are sharing right now. This feeling is being described and reported on the news as being “battle worn” and having “gone through the wringer”. It has been so obvious and apparent to note our many glaring divisions...our differences...the things that separate us. There is a harsh realization that our lines are drawn deep...very deep. Often times, in the heat of these battles, our beliefs and the things that give structure to our lives comes under attack. These attacks can be very personal...personal to the degree that we are reluctantly drawn into the fray. Everyone becomes a pundit and feels compelled to defend their own positions irrespective of opposing and sometimes better ideas. Nowhere was that more obvious than on social media. As election day drew closer the rhetoric increased exponentially and became a roar that assaulted us endlessly on Twitter and Facebook. We were pummeled with misinformation, deception and often outright lies in a feeble attempt to sway or shake us loose from fundamental truths previously established by Jesus. Those who consider themselves to be followers of Christ are easy targets as most everything we believe is absolutely contrary to the current political process and culture at large. Times are really no different now, in that regard, than in the time of Jesus. There is a massive effort to change culture...a battle for your soul...that becomes more obvious with every election. That change process involves manipulation, domination and control and the various media play a huge role in that. Os Hillman, in his book, Change Agent: Engaging your passion to be the one who makes a difference says,

“Most efforts to change culture (even within conservative Christianity) lead to manipulation, domination, and control. When God told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8 that they would be the head and not the tail, this would be the fruit of their obedience by fulfilling the first and greatest command to love and obey God. It was not a goal to try and achieve dominion in culture. Rather, it was the fruit of their obedience that would influence culture.”

It is abundantly clear that as a follower of Christ there comes a time that you are required to stand as Gods representative...an ambassador...a witness to timeless and life affirming truths. I'm not sure, really...but... I think that time may be now. Jesus has made it as simple for us. In Micah 6:8, it says, “ He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”. That is the thing that will heal our nation and draw us together...and we really need that right now...*sigh*