Today (10/19/20) I filled out my ballot. I’ve now voted in the last 13 Presidential elections.

I remember the lyric of “old enough to kill but not for voting” from the Vietnam War. As a result of the social pressure, the 26th Amendment lowered the age of voting to 18 and took effect in the summer of 1971. The political debate was centered around who would be able to vote in the 1972 Presidential Election (Nixon won by a landslide).

I remember being woken up late night November 3, 2016 after I fell asleep watching the results. My wife said “take a look at your next president.” In my sleepy haze, I saw who would become our 45th President.

If you live long enough, you see a lot of political turmoil. But as much as I’ve seen, this election seems to be a monumental pivotal event. I say that partially because of my age, but primarily because of the divisiveness of our country. Some commentators have said that you need to go back to the American Civil War to find a time when our country was this divided. I don’t know if that is true, but it sure feels like it. A house divided(1) ………

There is so much being decided over the next few days with the election. You know the twists and turmoil that we’ve been through the last four years—with 2020 being the worst and most bizarre year I’ve ever experienced. These are historical times which I believe will be written about and studied for generations. The divide is between people who want more of the last few years and those who want a complete change of direction. Compromise has left the political vocabulary. Both sides are expecting a clear “victory” in a few days. Angst abounds.

But if this is a pivotal election, what do you expect to change? I believe it is naïve to believe that all will be fine if your candidate wins. The divide between sides has been amplified and promoted so now both sides fear the other. This kind of suspicious fear has persistent staying power and won’t disappear in a day—or a year.

As liberal, religious people we should prepare ourselves for a long, hard road of recovery. Recovery from the harm done nationally and internationally and socially. Recovery from all the social injustices revealed in 2020. Recovery from division. Recovery from fear and suspicion. We must recover and work to improve our world. Our children and our children’s children are counting on us.

Election day will not achieve recovery and improvement, but it can be a start.
VOTE, stay safe, adjust, adapt, and choose carefully…………………yours in shared ministry………….Rev Russ

(1) Abraham Lincoln Speech “A House Divided” June 16, 1858 & Christian Bible in Gospels of Matthew, Mark, & John