“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
– Colossians 3:12-14
By any measure, 2020 has been a difficult year. You know the litany:
A global pandemic.
An economic recession.
A national racial reckoning.
An acrimonious election.
Disrupted education for students everywhere.
Has there been a stranger year than 2020 in recent memory?
This week, we have the opportunity to vote. Many of you have already cast your ballots. And however you choose or have chosen to exercise that liberty—I have a simple proposal for all of us during the next four years: “Let’s do better!”
I think most of us agree that if we continue on the trajectory we’ve been on, whether in terms of our dysfunctional national discourse, our incessant online bickering, or in our willingness to write others off for the felony of disagreeing with us, we’re heading for disaster.
My humble proposal: “Let’s do better!”
We’re living in information silos, media consumption enclaves in which respectful give-and-take ceases and honest debate is not even a possibility. We don’t cultivate friendships with those who are different from us, whether ideologically or racially, and then wonder why we don’t understand others.
My sincere appeal: “Let’s do better!”
I’d like to say that in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, we’ve soared above the fray. That we’ve taken the high road. That we provided the world with an exemplary model of how an ideologically diverse community can show respect, appreciation, and yes, love to those with whom they disagree.
My earnest plea: “By God’s empowering grace, let’s do better!”
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