We all knew the nation would crash. No entity can keep up that level of intensity without a nasty collision with everyday life. Either way, we all knew that Wednesday was going to be a messy day. A nation does not come through such a rancorous and raw candidating season without sustaining many wounds and the re-opening of past scars. In the end, Trump won the electoral college, while Hillary won the general election. Trump is the President Elect and Hillary, I’m sure, will find her place within the new political landscape. I hope somewhere during these early post-election days that both candidates are afforded some sleep and silence to re-center what can only be crazed and frenetic lives.

We’ve been hearing that America is badly divided for years and the poles and results of Tuesday’s election bore out these same conclusions. When a divided body is our reality, the call to acts of reconciliation modeled in a Jesus way of living is a must. Many fear that further events could permanently damage communities, people and relationships, both on American soil and abroad. But there is another way, love can be tapped to help lift and guide us into a better, kinder, more compassionate and caring future together. Marianne Williamson posits that “There are only two core emotions, fear and love.” Too often fear wins out because it is the road of least resistance. Love fails because it is hard and looks to draw on already depleted energy sources. And yet, we must decide, “Will it be fear or will it be love.” This is where the church can and must do it’s best work…tirelessly working by, in, and through love relying not on our faulty supply lines but an incredible abundance found in the love of the Creator.

Wednesday morning was a call to the Church, can we find the courage to answer it?

Yes, we can and we will… and it will be beautiful.