Canadian Museum for Human Rights -Wall

 I was shocked and worried in 2016, when Donald Trump was elected president . I didn’t know what kind of president he would be. Much of what he was saying disturbed me. Yet, people do change and grow with the offices they hold.  I was quickly dismayed though, by policies that were hurtful. From the Muslim ban, to the separation of children from their parents at the border, I was appalled.

Where eight years ago, I didn’t really know who Donald Trump was,  today I do. In Donald Trump’s mind, Making America Great, is to demean our multicultural nation. It’s to embrace a tainted form of Christianity, where the teachings of Jesus are dismissed as out of touch. I’ve listened to rants about immigrants, “poisoning our blood” and threats against former generals who warned us, he is a danger. I’ve seen enough snippets of Project 2025 to be deeply concerned about our government, our democracy and our future. I remember the trauma of January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters,  marched to the capital, trying to stop the election of Joe Biden, because they believed Trump’s stolen election lie. 

While I despair,  I’m conscious that more than 70 million people are celebrating the election results. I remain mystified at their ability, to overlook Trump’s authoritarian bent and his fondness for dictators.  I wonder at their ability to  ignore the danger,  those who worked most closely with him, tell us he is. I’m anxious for minorities and those who live on the edges of society. I fear a warming world, with even more catastrophic storms, from our arrogance and neglect.  I’m afraid for both legal and  undocumented immigrants.  I worry about  the hold, Russia’s president Putin has on Trump and how he has been able to manipulate the former president.

The year I was ordained, Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher wrote an inscription, in the newly published hymnal she gave us, quoting a hymn, “God of Love and God of power, thou hast called us for this hour.”  The hymn was written by United Methodist Bishop, Gerald H Kennedy, who was a social activist focusing on the issues of his day.   It is a prayer we  fulfill our calling as people of faith, in turbulent times.

The first and last verses of the hymn speak to me today.

God of love and God of power,
grant us in this burning hour
grace to ask these gifts of thee,
daring hearts and spirits free.
God of love and God of power,
thou hast called us for this hour.

 God of love and God of power,
make us worthy of this hour;
offering lives if it’s thy will,
keeping free our spirits still.
God of love and God of power,
thou hast called us for this hour.

The work of justice continues. Martin Luther King Jr.  reminded us, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” As we continue to work for justice, may we do so in a spirit of  decency, love and compassion. May we be worthy of the hour we have been called to.

“I, (Paul) therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3