Winston Churchill once said “To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often”. A lot of changes have occurred in our church over the past year. We have moved to a new location and are sharing space, designated worship services, and mission projects with our friends at West End Baptist. So far, this experience has been good for our congregation because it has allowed us to think about how the Spirit is moving us and what God has in store for us next.. To quote author Leo Tolstoy, “Trule life is lived when tiny changes occur.” Beyond the changes within our church life, there are other changes happening around us that may be harder to process.
This year there has been a changing of the guard. After a hard fought presidential election, we have a new Commander in Chief. As what commonly happens with a new President, changes are being made to the government to better support the vision and mission of the new administration. This time, a lot of changes are happening quickly. British American author Alan Watts stated “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance”. I do believe there is some truth to this, and yet with all the confusion that has happened in the past few weeks, it is hard to learn the steps and find the rhythm of it all, especially in relation to our faith.
As a faith leader, there are many aspects of this new administration that have caused me to take pause. My undergraduate studies included a minor in political science and I respect the political process, even when I don’t agree with the person or party in leadership. Still, there are decisions being made for the good of our country which go against many of the principles I hold dear as a Christian. In Matthew 25 we are told to care for the ‘least of these’; those without power, means, or voices. Yet when Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde preached on the importance of mercy before the President at the National Cathedral on the National Day of Prayer, she was met with criticism. These are the words directed to President Trump and members of his new administration. "Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,". Unfortunately, Bishop Edar Buddle’s plea has turned into a divisive tool, where ‘mercy’ has become a trigger word causing anger, frustration, and distrust.
Once again, I understand that there are many philosophies on how to best organize and lead our nation. Still, without consideration for the greater good of the whole, how can this change be helpful? I worry that in our desire to fix certain problems facing our nation, we are overlooking what really makes America great. Coretta Scott King stated that ‘It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem.” As Christians, the cornerstone of our faith is built on mercy. In the hymn “Depth of Mercy” the lyrics ask
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear”
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
“Whence to me this waste of love?”
Ask my Advocate above
See the cause in Jesu’ face
Now before the throne of grace.
Jesus’ ministry was founded on this principle for all his children, with all our flaws and freely, without question. It was mercy that put him on the cross and freed us. As children of faith we too must work towards a world where mercy matters more than anything else.