Stay Calm & Carry On

We live in some interesting times. 

Spiritual apathy, possibly caused by spiritual atrophy, can leave us unprepared for difficult moments.  We might want to shrink or run away, letting our flight, fawn, or freeze response take over. Or perhaps you are a fighter, wondering how best to stand up during challenging times.  I fully understand that the church is made of people from different political backgrounds; this shapes our discussions and enriches our understanding of how God can be experienced in the world.  Differing points of view enhance our faith community.  With that said, I hope as Christians we can all agree that caring for the vulnerable is one of our upmost concerns.  Jesus gives a pretty clear directive in Matthew 25 to care for the poor, hungry, thirsty, and stranger (immigrant) in the land.  As you read through my thoughts, please keep in mind that my intention is not to promoting a particular political party nor am I trying to shame anyone who voted for a particular party.  Simply put, this is about how we stay spiritually grounded in the midst of difficult times.  

In the past two weeks, we have witnessed deeply troubling governmental actions threatening the welfare of the poor, hungry, and strangers among us.  Diversity, equity, and inclusion of others has been challenged and demonized.  There are refugee communities that live in fear of deportation; and immigrants trying to work through legal processes whose children go to school wondering if mom or dad will be at there when they get off school.  Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, the strictest military prison in the United States known for housing high-ranking terrorists and criticized for its use of torture, has been suggested as a deportation site for immigrants.  

In the past two weeks, our government has withheld aid that provides vaccines to prevent AIDS and other deadly diseases. This decision affects women and children worldwide.  We have pulled out of the World Health organization effectively crippling the efforts of tracking and stopping the spread of diseases.  This also has a great effect on providing humanitarian efforts in war-torn countries.  We have negotiated to send immigrants and prisoners to El Salvador which has some of the cruelest prisons in the world.  We have floated the idea of taking over Greenland where the Inughuit, Tunumiit, and Kalaallit people have just recently been able to gain autonomy from the Danish government.  We have started trade wars with Canada, Mexico, and soon the European Union threatening the livelihood of workers abroad.  Most recently we have made comments that support ethnic cleansing in Gaza for the benefit of creating hotels and commerce so the rich can have another playground turning the Gaza strip into a resort location.  The list of troubling news keeps rolling in. 

The question I pose is not if you agree with the political movements of these actions—or even if you believe them to be ethical—but rather when you hear troubling news, as a Christian, what do you do?

Dealing with deeply troubling political news through the lens of Christian faith, especially within the context of the United Methodist tradition, calls for a response rooted in prayer, scripture, action, and community. Our United Methodist way of discipleship has always emphasized a living out our faith.  This is reflected through acts of mercy, love and advocacy for justice throughout the world.  Justice is the belief that all persons are created by God, loved by God, and deserve to know a freedom in life that is fair for all.

Staying calm and carrying on does not mean we become stagnant in our faith or paralyzed by our fear.  We are asked to reflect Christ’s example of peace, reconciliation, and care for the marginalized in the world.  When we see something that causes us pause—something that seems against the example of Christ—what do we do?  How do we stay sane and alert during political strife?

Here are some practical steps to address troubling political news in light of our United Methodist and Christian tradition:

First, Prayer and Reflection

• To be alert to the world's needs, we must first be centered and grounded in our own needs.  Turning to God in prayer is central to the Christian life.  It is kind of like when the airplane is about to take off and the attendant says in case all the air gets sucked out of this cabin, “first put on your mask, then help others around you.” Prayer is that thing that centers us and is an essential response to political distress. It helps you center your heart and mind on God's sovereignty, seeking peace and wisdom.  It helps us sort out our emotions as we wrestle with how to respond.

Second, Study Scripture and Reflect on Christ's Example

• Look to Christ’s Example! Jesus lived in a deeply troubled political context, yet His ministry focused on love, service, and justice. By following His example, Christians are encouraged to act with humility, prioritize the welfare of others, and bring light to darkness. Jesus didn’t align Himself with worldly power structures, but instead, He brought the message of God’s kingdom—a kingdom that transcends earthly politics.  The Bible offers wisdom for navigating challenging circumstances. Passages like Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone," and Isaiah 1:17, "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed," provide guidance in these times.

Third, Seek Justice and Mercy

• Live Out the United Methodist Social Principles. In the Book of Discipline the United Methodist Church offers a set of Social Principles, which emphasize justice, human dignity, and care for creation. When faced with troubling news, reflect on how these principles call you to respond. Issues like poverty, inequality, human rights, and environmental concerns are areas where Christians are called to actively engage.

  
  

• Practice compassion and mercy is deeply engrained in Jesus' teachings. We are urged as Christians to love our neighbors, especially the marginalized. In Matthew 25:35-40, Christ identifies with the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick, and imprisoned. When political situations bring distress, consider how you can respond by supporting those in our backyard who suffer as a result.  Practicing compassion and mercy is different than scrolling social media and sending out a tweet or post.  It requires identifying real actions to create lasting change.  When we are overwhelmed by the world and its problems often, we are called to go locally.  What can we do to help those in our neighborhood, our town, or even our state?  Who is the group or people in distress and what can I do to help the very real people in my local area?   There are plenty of non-profit organizations and parachurch organizations that need partners in creating change.  There are plenty of houseless people on the street that need a helping hand.  There are plenty of churches in our local area that house immigrant communities and need a voice for their work.  Go local and it will pay great dividends. 

  
  

• Commit to nonviolence and peacemaking in all your conversations.  This is a shift from being reactionary to being proactive.  When we hear things in the news that we never thought were possible we can quickly become reactionary.  There is a new habit that can form—hearing something distressful, reacting with emotional turmoil, calming down, hearing new distressful news—this rubber band effect of being stretched emotionally and then contracting can take a big toll on our spiritual and emotional state.  Instead, what would happen if we are committed to peace and nonviolence in all our conversations.  This is a conscious decision to focus not on the reaction but on being calm no matter what.  In our United Methodist tradition, we emphasize the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). In times of political division, engaging in peacemaking dialogue means being able to listen to differing perspectives with a spirit of understanding, while speaking with love first is always a great mode of operation.  This centered peacemaking process of proactive listening and understanding is how we engage in healing conversations with the world, friends, and even ourselves.

Lastly, engage with the Church Community

• The times that I have felt the most frustrated by the news or happenings of the world are the times when I have also felt the most isolated.  Staying connected with your church is important no matter what.  Our church values shared responsibilities that remind us we are not trying to go at this alone.  The work of God is a shared responsibility.  We are not encouraged to be rouge agents, but to work as a team as we live into the kingdom of God here on earth.  Join prayer groups, study circles, or discussion forums that address current political events with a Christian lens. This can be a source of support and solidarity. Theological reflection (where God is at work in the world) in community helps keep us tethered with our feet on the ground.  As we discuss our faith with others, we help clarify what is most important to us and to God.  This process helps us keep proactive so that we are not swayed by salacious news but ultimately grounded in real action.

  
  

• Remain hopeful that the kingdom of God can overcome the woes of this world.  We must always be reminded of who is in charge. Yes, the actions of a few can most certainly make life difficult for the many.  Yes, the actions of a few can even destroy the livelihood of the many.  However, we believe in a God that has the last word.  That word is one of love, mercy, peace and justice.  Hope in Christ enables you to persevere amid challenging circumstances, knowing that God’s love and justice will prevail.

  
  

• Celebrating acts of goodness, no matter how big or how small, is an important part of keeping hopeful.  Even in troubling times, God works in and through people—real people we know. Celebrate acts of kindness, mercy, and justice within our community.  Highlight moments of charity or compassion as a way that elevates our fears out of darkness and focuses light on hope.  God is present and active, even in the darkest moments.

Through all of this, it’s crucial to remember that discipleship is a journey, it is a process.  It is not something that we can buy or acquire quickly but that it takes time.  To practice love, faith, and hope we must be intentional. No matter the political climate, the United Methodist approach emphasizes living out the teachings of Jesus with grace and compassion.  My hope is that we can continue to remain grounded in prayer, scripture, and take every opportunity to fight for those in need so that we can give voice to the voiceless in our midst. 

-          Pastor Jon