Love, Not Christianese, Perhaps!

A letter to my Christian friends in light of the US presidential election results.

Dear Friends,

A lot of people, ourselves included, are scared, sad, disappointed, and even distraught. People are looking for answers. The plethora of emotions being felt are real but when we use Christianese in response to people's expression of their hurt, it comes off as dismissive and insensitive. 

We cannot change the results but we can change our response. In essence we should be looking to point people to the Father who's able to assuage all fears. Let's admit that we also have no idea what's happening but we still trust in the God that has never failed us because He is good. Let's portray the love we so often talk about. Let's acknowledge that not everything that happens is God's will. Yes, you read that right. Not everything that happens is God's will and to make that statement so categorically in a time when people are hurting is neither wise nor is it loving. God may have allowed it to happen but it doesn't mean it's his will. After all, you may allow your child to get burnt by the candle he's insisted on playing with even though you've told him several times not to. Per chance you do it so he can learn but can you say that it is your will for him to be burnt and feel pain? Of course not! Not the child you love. And how do you think he'd feel if someone told him this is what his father actually desired for him, for him to go through pain?

Perhaps, what you mean to say is that you are at a loss for words and all you have to hold onto now is your faith that the God you love and serve will come through; that this has not caught him by surprise; that He is well aware of it and since the promises he made to you and all of humanity were with the foreknowledge of all this, he is well able to deliver on those promises. Perhaps what you mean to say is that you have hope that this is not the end despite how dire the circumstances may seem. Perhaps what you mean to say is that you are indeed just as scared as everyone else but you have chosen not to give in to the fear and are reaching deep down for courage to face every day. Perhaps what you mean to say is actually what you should say. Perhaps!

Perhaps you think none of this applies to you because you are actually glad at the outcome. Well, to you my friend this message applies even more. You seem to have found joy in all this. Are we not to rejoice when people rejoice and mourn when they mourn? Is that not what the love we often talk about is supposed to do? Perhaps what you mean to say is that you also have no idea how this will turn out but you are hopeful it will bring the change you know we all want. Perhaps you can share some of your hope and joy in a way that doesn't feel flung in people's faces. Perhaps you can be the light of the world, perhaps!

Yours Sincerely!