By Pastor Kris
Hertsgaard Kincaid
Christ Lutheran Church, Preston
On Wednesday morning, November 6, leaves covered our lawn, and as I was walking out to the car my foot squished into the ground. I realized I had stepped onto a “stinky dog nugget.” “Well,” I thought, “about half of our nation woke up today thinking things are a stinky mess.” Later, as I was walking up our driveway, I noticed a new plant blooming. Seeing the blooms, I thought, “Well, about half of our nation woke up today thinking a new beginning is at hand.”
Prior to the election, I think I had convinced myself that if one person or another got elected, things would be all right. When I think this way, I am asking politics to do what I profess God has already done. God, the creator of the universe, the Triune God made known through Jesus, offers hope to our anxious and weary world. 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us God, through Jesus’ experience of death and rebirth, for our sake, “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” In this case, righteousness stands for God’s commitment and power to reclaim the world for God’s purposes. God treasures us and wants us to bring others into God’s reconciling work.
In a blog post, “The Promise of Hope,” Tessa Pinkstaff maintains, “The key to unlocking the abundant life God has for us today is to draw near to God’s presence.” We don’t produce hope. Hope is a result of the time we spend with God. Spiritual practices place us in God’s presence so God can do transforming work with us. Pinkstaff suggests some faith practices that have “worked” for people.
- Slow down. Open space in your schedule for God to fill. Be curious about where God might lead you. Slowing down could lead you to a conversation, or to be in the right place to help someone.
- Be present. Listen. Look for times you might affirm, encourage, and bless others.
- Pray. Lift your requests to God. Pray for those you love and especially for those you don’t. In this time when 50 % of your neighbors may think differently than you, ask God to help you see the world through the spiritual eyes of faith and love.
- Be generous. Use the material gifts God has given you to meet the needs in your community, neighborhood, and beyond. Practice gratitude for what you have as you share with others.
When we lean back in faith and forward in God’s hope, we experience the love of God and are transformed to care deeply about our neighbor. May we put our trust in God, and may our focus be on using our imagination to live a new life in Christ while caring deeply about our neighbors.