Tomorrow is election day in the US, although many of us (myself included) have already voted. For months, I’ve been pondering the need to post something today and wondering what would be best. A few days ago, over breakfast, I was reading about a particularly divisive political encounter between neighbors and realized that what our country desperately needs is more love.
By love, I don’t mean the sappy or silly stuff you might find on social media memes. Instead, I want to shine a spotlight on the “perfect love [that] casts out fear,” as the writer of 1 John 4:18 put it. You see, I strongly believe that fear is at the root of most of the divisions in this country, and those who seek to keep us divided are doing their best to focus us on our fears.
Now, there are also social media memes out there stating that “do not be afraid” appears in the Bible 365 times, so theoretically, we should “know better.” (By the way, someone did the math and that stat’s not true, although it does show up a lot.) If we were to read regularly about not being afraid (in Scripture or in works by other spiritual leaders), we might not be so easily swayed by our politicians’ fearmongering.
However, it’s also true that we are impacted by those around us. Fear can be just as catching as COVID—perhaps more so. To my mind, this means we need to be intentional about protecting ourselves from fear.
So, how might we do that? Inoculating ourselves with readings (and social media input) that focuses on care and concern for one another is important. For example, we might remember Jesus’ injunction to “love one another as I have loved you.” As I noted last Lent, this extends beyond the agendas we bring to our “love” for family and friends. When we can truly love our neighbors without agendas or conditions, we can bring about love on earth.
And love is what we truly need right now. I believe that the only way our country can shift away from fear is by focusing on the ways that we are all one body, one people. This won’t be easy, but I believe it’s essential. It’s also the way that people of faith can truly grow in love, as opposed to growing in hate.
So, in this pivotal week for America (and probably for the Americas and the world, given our outsized influence on the world stage), how can you cradle this country and your fellow citizens with love? (If you’re not a citizen of the US, please hold us in love too!)
Thanks Shirin for being both inspirational and practical. If I and each of us gets busy doing something good for someone else today, we reduce our time and need to be afraid. A short powerful book many years ago had the title Love is Letting Go of Fear. Great aspiration to embrace and practice!
You’re welcome, Tom. I’m glad my post spoke to you and encouraged you to act in life-giving ways. Thanks for the book recommendation too.
Peace,
Shirin
Shirin
In a word, kindness. I spread kindness. And generally within that, love shows. I truly try to be the ‘other’ in this world and respect all people by being gentle, caring and kind. Even with the family difficulties I have, I try to approach them with an eye/ear/heart to being honest and truthful but do it with internal prayer, tenderness, concern. Show love until they ask why, then say Jesus!
Blessings to you and Henry
Thank you, Nila, for illustrating your approach so beautifully. I love your reason, too!
Thanks also for your blessings…and many blessings to you as well.
Peace,
Shirin
Such good simple advice, and yet so difficult at the same time! But as you say, Shirin, that’s what Jesus taught us to do. My neighbor across the street is on the opposite side from me politically, and I have to look at his campaign signs in his yard. But when he saw my garage door open with my car in the garage, he called me to make sure I knew the door was open. I thanked him profusely for caring. If we all could remember that we have much more in common than what divides us, I think we could all take a deep breath and approach the “other” with a smile.
Amen, Aston, and thank you for sharing your own experience with loving your neighbors. I have similar stories (having exchanged vigorous waves with similar neighbors on my walk just this morning), and we can indeed benefit from finding common ground in caring for one another.
Peace,
Shirin