Initially, I felt purposed not to publish my deeper reactions to the election outcome.
I wanted simply, only, to point people to the light, to grace … to implore people to remember kindness and compassion toward others, toward both those elated over election results and those disheartened by them, those rejoicing and those grieving.
But something shifted me toward sharing more, come of it what may.
I’ve never felt this sort of visceral reaction to any previous election, so I find it telling:
Election night, a nameless, depthless dismay welled up inside. I glimpsed a sense of powerful forces and movements of spirit afoot, which were (are) far too big and deep for me to even put words to …
The following day, a fire burned in my chest, throat, forehead. No matter how my mind said to me, look, the sun still came up; the world is still beautiful; don’t make catastrophic assumptions … the fire burned.
And all day long, I practiced deep, cooling breaths, trying to quell the heat and flame. In the midst of this, though, I tried to listen to what my body seemed to understand about the gravity of the situation.
A wise friend, whose profound perspectives I respect deeply, shared a lovely thought with me that has helped me process things.
She spoke of the pressure of light, of how she believes there’s actually more light in the world now, but paradoxically, it’s that very light to which people are reacting in such intense ways. Some people are being provoked to love, others to anger, to fear. The light is provoking transparency, causing hidden things, some of which are painful, to rise to consciousness …
I think she’s right, that there IS more light. Oh, I think there’s always been light, but it’s breaking forth more brilliantly, fiercely! Yes, I know it’s so hard to believe, with all of the fear, anger, and anguish present, with the apparent resurgence of dark, nasty roots of bigotry and basest prejudices of all kinds, with the shadows of hatefulness and evil that seem to loom.
Yet, I suspect perhaps these things are happening because of the work of the light, because the light is driving them into the open, where they should be!
The pressure of the light is breaking through into places of darkness and making the seeds and roots that hid there visible … biases, wounds, ancient, unhealed traumas of oppression, violence, and injustice that we all bear stains or scars of, harmful beliefs that collectively or individually burden us. Deeply embedded patterns of perception, communication, and relationship that desperately need transformation …
And the pressure of the light is painful, isn’t it … to see, to feel what it reveals hurts.
But what we can see and know, we can heal! And therein is the hope … but also the urgency. The urgent need of holding on to the light, being the good, watering seeds of peace, seeking stillness in the chaotic swirls of societal and personal emotion …
Yes, stillness is needed, now. You and I, we need stillness, to be able to sit with all the powerful emotions swirling up, to hold space for them. To sit with anger and fear and learn to bring the fruit of loving change and genuine justice from it.
You and I, we need stillness, so that we can then rise up and be the good, be the love, be the light, that is needed now.
Out of the stillness is born the deepest living and the purest action.
Out of the stillness, the brightest light shines.
And in the stillness, we can bear the pressure of the light, and respond with love and grace, to even the hardest and most painful, devastating things.
I’m not naïve to the presence and power of evil, but I believe whole-heartedly, whole-soulfully, that goodness is strong, is strengthening, is the strongest force in the world. Everywhere, I see a surging of fierce grace, fierce pleadings for grace and light. People expressing powerful intentions to bring the pressure of light to bear against hate and injustice … and powerful intentions to be willing for the pressure of light within, to let it reveal, heal, and transform.
I am willing for the pressure of the light. Willing to let it provoke unbounding, unconditional love in me. What about you? What will the pressure of light provoke in you?
May it provoke belovedness.
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One other reflection: We are in the midst of a massive societal transformation, a change in consciousness, and it won’t be stopped. Regardless of who won the election, it was/is happening, anyway. Some experience this as beautiful and good, but others as painful and terrible.
Rather like an intense grief reaction, because there’s loss involved, the loss of the familiar/status quo … but for some, a way of life is dying. It’s hard to see the goodness in that dying, and they’re grieving. And anger is a part of grief. Fear, resistance, a part of it. It’s important to try to understand that, to allow compassion toward it, whether we see it in others or in ourselves.
I’ve read so many reactions and reflections the last few days, people pouring their hearts out, lifting their voices. Pain from all sides, pleas to be heard. It awakens a question: as we’re seeking to be heard, are we also listening? Are we in a space to listen; can we find it?
Listening with belovedness, to the hurts and the hearts of those who voted differently than we, as well as to those who share similar views? Listening inclusively?
Listening leads to understanding; understanding to compassion. Then, to loving, to healing.
If we’re wondering how we got to this point in our world, perhaps one reason is because we have been raising our own voices to speak our truths, yet not listening to others’ truths, not listening for or hearing the hurts and the hearts of those with whose choices or voices or truths we disagree …
Make no mistake, hatefulness and injustice MUST be spoken against, lived against, and love must be lived into, even if it costs us the dearest friendships or asks us to let go of privileges we’re attached to. Yet let’s not be so quick to assume hate is the truth of a heart and soul without first listening deeply to hurts there!
What a beautiful thing if this pressure of light would also provoke us all to listen more to one another … if it would provoke the awakening of stillness so that we could listen in belovedness.
Please listen:
Thank you, Linda, for your reply. I appreciate you reading and responding!
If I may, I would like to inquire as to what moved you to post this particular video?
Lanae,
The path of our country has been in the opposite direction from the Bible. The Bible is true and God-breathed (II Timothy). A country that turns from those precepts is doomed, so our children and grandchildren will suffer. We MUST use God’s definition of evil and not our own merciful feelings to direct us.
You seem to have a heart for others. Let the One who is the all knowing I AM direct your heart and your mind. Listen to John McArthur’s teaching and grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. You are hurting. I can tell that you are very literate — ask God to open his Word to you. God bless you and those you will always love – those little ones He has entrusted to you, a mother created for His purpose. Linda
Maybe you have already heard and or seen. But just in case…–especially note the scriptures!
“Something happened on Inauguration Day that was not covered on TV. Robert Jeffress, the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, gave a private sermon for the President Elect (at the time) and VP Elect Pence and their families in St. John’s Church first thing in the morning to set the tone for the day.
It was quite short, and you may not be interested, but in case you are, here are the verbatim words that were given to Trump and his group. I am told that he was really moved by it, and especially liked the part about the wall.
When God chooses a leader: Nehemiah 1:11
Introduction: President-elect and Mrs. Trump, Vice-President-elect and Mrs. Pence, families and friends, it’s an honor to be with you on this historic day.
President-elect Trump, I remember that it was exactly one year ago this weekend that I was with you on your Citation jet flying around Iowa before the first caucus or primary vote was cast. After our Wendy’s cheeseburgers, I said that I believed that you would be the next President of the United States. And if that happened, it would be because God had placed you there.
As the prophet Daniel said, it is God who removes and establishes leaders.
Today ─ one year later ─ God has raised you and Vice-President-elect Pence up for a great, eternal purpose.
When I think of you, President-elect Trump, I am reminded of another great leader God chose thousands of years ago in Israel. The nation had been in bondage for decades, the infrastructure of the country was in shambles, and God raised up a powerful leader to restore the nation. And the man God chose was neither a politician nor a priest. Instead, God chose a builder whose name was Nehemiah.
And the first step of rebuilding the nation was the building of a great wall. God instructed Nehemiah to build a wall around Jerusalem to protect its citizens from enemy attack. You see, God is NOT against building walls!
And the Old Testament book of Nehemiah records how Nehemiah completed that massive project in record time — just 52 days.
Why was Nehemiah so successful in building the wall and rebuilding the nation?
I. Nehemiah Refused To Allow His Critics To Distract Him Someone has said there are three guaranteed ways to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
Any true leader is going to face criticism.
President-elect Trump, you have had your share of critics from the day you announced you were running for President, but you’ve confounded them at every turn. First, they said you couldn’t win the nomination, but you ended up garnering the most votes of any Republican in history. Then they said that was a fluke, but you couldn’t win the election. And you handily defeated your opponent. And now your critics say you can’t possibly succeed in your agenda.
Nehemiah had his own share of critics. Two of his chief antagonists were named Sanballat and Tobiah. They were the mainstream media of their day. They continued to hound and heckle Nehemiah and spread false rumors while he and the Israelites were building the wall.
At one point, they said, “Nehemiah, you need to stop the project and come down from the wall and have a meeting with us.” Nehemiah’s response was classic: “I’m doing a great work . . . why should I stop the work and come down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3)
President-elect Trump, you, Vice President-elect Pence, and your team have been called by God and elected by the people to do a great work. It is a work far too important to stop and answer your critics.
II. Nehemiah Refused To Allow Setbacks To Stop Him. As you read through Nehemiah’s journal, you’ll find that he faced tremendous obstacles as he attempted to rebuild the nation: an economic recession, terrorist attacks from enemies, and discouragement among the citizens.
But none of those setbacks was enough to stop Nehemiah.
Some years ago two sports commentators on television were discussing the late Hall of Famer Walter Peyton, the running back for the Chicago Bears. One commentator said, “Can you believe that during his career Peyton has run more than nine miles with a football?”
The other commentator replied, “What’s even more amazing is that every 3. 8 yards of those nine miles Peyton got knocked down by a guy twice his size! But he got back up every time and kept moving forward in spite of those bruising hits and hard knocks.”
President Trump, you, your team and your families are going to face some bruising setbacks. But remember . . The true measure of a leader is what it takes to stop him. And knowing you, I believe it’s going to take a lot to stop you.
(Finally)
III. Nehemiah Sought God’s Help To Empower Him Nehemiah was a gifted leader, but he knew he could not succeed without God’s divine help. And that is why as he began the great work, Nehemiah knelt before God and prayed:
“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant who delights in revering your name. Give your servant success today . . ” (Nehemiah 1:11)
Mr. President-elect, I don’t believe we have ever had a president with as many natural gifts as you. As you know, the reason I endorsed you within weeks of your announcement that you were running was because I believed that you were the only candidate who possessed the leadership skills necessary to reverse the downward trajectory of our nation.
And beginning with Vice President-elect Pence ─ a great and godly man ─ you’ve assembled an unbelievably talented group of advisers around you.
But the challenges facing our nation are so great that it will take more than natural ability to meet them. We need God’s supernatural power.
The good news is that the same God who empowered Nehemiah nearly 2500 years ago is available to every one of us today who is willing to humble himself and ask for His help.
God says in Psalm 50:15 “Call upon Me in the day of trouble I shall rescue you and you will honor Me.”
When President Ronald Reagan addressed the Republican National Convention in my city of Dallas in 1984 he said, “America needs God more than God needs America. If we ever forget that we are “one nation under God,” then we will be a nation gone under.”
President-elect Trump, you had a campaign slogan that resonated with tens of millions of Americans because it spoke to their heartfelt desire: “Make America Great Again.”
Psalm 33:12 gives us the starting point for making that happen: “Blessed — great — is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
May God bless President-elect Trump, Vice-President-elect Pence, their families and advisers. And may God truly bless the United States of America.”
Linda, I appreciate the warm thoughts and the kindness and compassion toward me in your reply.
My own prayer is for blessings – of peace, love, liberty, healing – to be upon us all.
Lanae,
You have my email address. Feel free to contact me at any time.
Blessings, Linda
Thank you 🙂
Lanae, did you watch this one on Biblical counseling? Very interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7Z7_69cGmU
Linda