Dearly Beloved,
Grace and Peace to you.
It is Election Day today in the US, where folks are divided between those who think voting is your sacred duty, those who think it’s useless, and those who want to vote but are prevented by voter suppression laws.
The world is divided between those who think prayer is your sacred duty, those who think it’s useless, and those who want to pray but are prevented by the fear that they aren’t good enough or they don’t know how to do it right.
The world is divided between those who think living a loving life is your sacred duty, those who think it’s useless, and those who want to but are prevented by other desires, deep brokenness, or fear.
Voting is in fact your sacred duty. So is praying, and living a loving life. They are all equally useless. Your vote is not likely to turn an election. Your prayer is not likely to save the world, or even yourself. A loving life may be swallowed up in the greed and wrath of a violent, commercial world.
But: a vote for a losing cause just disappears, while “unanswered” prayer, even weak and flawed prayer, still becomes part of the fabric of the universe. A loving life flows out of the Love that creates and sustains all things, and beautifies and strengthens that love. It matters. And in that spirit even a vote can be a prayer, an act of love. Even a losing vote matters. It gives voice to the truth, it seeks justice, it embodies compassion and our interwoven-ness with all people.
Maybe we ought to get little stickers that say “I prayed.”
If you are in the US, vote today. And no matter where you are, pray. Live a loving life. Your life does change the world. It adds to the energy of life. It delights God. It matters.
Deep Blessings,
Pastor Steve
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Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
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