US Expat now living in the UK (been here 12 years now). Literally just found you and I wanted to say how bloody refreshing it is to read a grounded, middle-of-the-road American Christian who is engaging critical thought when looking at our theology against the state of American politics. I’m excited to subscribe!
I'm so happy for your finding of peace. Welcome to the family of post political Christians. I go to this passage from the Psalms every time I feel the old anxieties of my political past start to churn:
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
A tough row to hoe but I suspect this is the only way forward. As a Canadian the political crisis in your country is a constant source of anxiety since every collective choice you folks make has profound implications for us north of the border. Our economy and culture are so entwined. One of our past political leaders likened our relationship to a mouse and an elephant sharing the same bed. Everything is ok until the elephant decides to roll over. Also, we have our own social/political groups here which are virtually salivating at the prospect of riding on the coattails of MAGA to transform the status quo of our culture. Many of us take pride, dare I say with some arrogance, that we have consistently been more oriented to the collective, where being progressive was seen as a good thing to most of us. Even our right of centre party was called the Progressive Conservatives until 2003. But like in many of the western democracies we’ve also seen a steady drift towards a more fearful society.
Your call to be “non-anxious about the implications” a reelected Trump has for the rest of the world is a high bar, but I hope it’s one which we as Jesus followers can lean into.
Byron, this perspective is quite helpful, to be frank I often (falsely) assume driving a couple of hours north to the border would poof! create a different reality, but of course we're connected. I won't forget that elephant/mouse analogy.
"Christians can be okay with Trump winning a second term and be non-anxious about the implications that has for the fractured world. "
I don't think I'll ever get to the point of being "Ok" with a 2nd Trump term (something unthinkable that seems be be becoming more of a reality every day now). I can try to be indifferent instead of OK. But we'll likely be called on to resist some of his policies - so I guess I can't be completely indifferent as our democracy is being dismantled.
As you say: "To stay here, to keep living well, is a form of resistance that honors where God has placed us. "
Phil, I really appreciate this comment, thanks for it. I hesitated to write about holy indifference without framing that, and now I think I should have. I'm thinking on indifference in the Ignatian variety, not uncaring but holding the tension of both sides. I suppose by ok I mean indifference, which is a long way of saying accepting of the outcome with a wider frame of my purpose as a Christian, of taking the long view. Seriously hard stuff, and I'm working it out in real time.
Yeah, I guess it's like how Jeremiah told his people that they needed to accept the Babylonian captivity and go on with their lives in Babylon for the appointed time. Most didn't want to hear that and who can blame them? He told them that things would eventually be OK, just not in their lifetime - which means taking a much longer view.
The bigger picture here is that maybe it's time for the American empire to recede into history as all empires do eventually. And yeah, that's going to be really tough for most of us to live through. Haven't gotten around to reading "City of God" yet, but from what I understand Augustine was telling Christians in the far-flung Roman Empire that it's days were numbered so make sure you're living in The City of God and not the City of Man because things were going to get turbulent. Probably that's kind of us right now.
This Catholic appreciated the reference to indifference. Struggling with professionally having to assess election risk on the daily, your post provoked me to ask myself today and hopefully everyday — what individual did I serve today? How did I make my locale a better place? Whom did I love? Thank you for the needed direction.
Thank you for this. I too am perplexed that it is mainly the white evangelical church that is keeping Donald Trump afloat politically. It has alienated me. But I'm grateful for your suggestion to eat red velvet cake and to rest in the grace of helping others and not taking my identity so much from being a political wonk.
Well said. I stepped back from politics a while back after realizing how detrimental they had been in my life, all my life. I vote for the person that I think most aligns with how I personally would try and change the world, and let the rest fall where it may.
I think the idea of holy indifference is well-taken; however, I presume you (like myself and most others reading) may well be ‘protected’ in some way by the imminent dangers inherent if a certain candidate won. We would be remiss to not consider that we may be ‘relieved’ becuz of our privilege and are not in danger of anything worse than perhaps some discomfort. I think holy indifference in this climate is turning a blind eye, and I can’t do that and feel like I am living out my faith the way I’m called to in the gospels.
Elle, thanks for this comment. I've been thinking about and writing about this same question. I recently had a long talk with my husband about it, esp since I'm writing and researching holy indifference right now. Essentially, is holy indifference realistic? Is it only a question for folks who have space to consider and not much on the line? All the to say I'm thinking it through, and I'm trying to do so honestly and carefully.
Oh yikes, I can’t watch. But the Idea that we can be ok with Trump winning, and have a holy indifference… Goodness, that’s something I’m going to have to work on. Also, Sara, it’s the DSM, not DMD. 😉 But maybe political anxiety should be included in there!
Thanks for this Sara! I've been ruminating on Psalm 20 since yesterday: "... Some trust in chariots(kings & presidents), and some in horses (military strength): But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: But we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD..." We need to keep trusting in God's ultimate salvation rather than relying on human power. Last night's debate was oh so terrible, and we need to remind ourselves that these horses are not where our faith lies. They are temporary and not the end-all-be-all. We still have community and on the ground actions. (and- I'm saying this as someone who now works in Government and battles ideological clashes and bureaucracy daily.)
Alice! It's really good to hear from you, I'm quite encouraged by this verse. Esp after what's happened with the Supreme Court in the last couple of days. Drew and I are, honestly, deeply discouraged and keep talking about work we can do locally. Grace and love to you and Tim.
We can only do so much about this election. But “God’s got us. He’s in control, in control, in control. God’s got us. Let him heal what you refuse to let go. God can nothing and make something great. Make beautiful things from these ugly mistakes. This is the promise. God’s got us. Let the church sing yeahhh. yeahhhh yeahhh. yeahhh. I’ve seen him do miracles, oh, the impossible. Yeahhh, yeah, yeahhh. Seen demons, they tremble, in awe of what he can do, This is the promise. God’s got us.”
Thank you Sara. The conversations we’ve been having with friends post-debate is right in line with your comment: “we need to de-prioritize politics and prioritize loving and serving the people in our local sphere. To appreciate the small things in our own lives. We need to right-size and realize what we can and can’t control.” I’m in the middle of Friedman’s book right now so the idea of trying to be a non-anxious presence really resonates with me.
US Expat now living in the UK (been here 12 years now). Literally just found you and I wanted to say how bloody refreshing it is to read a grounded, middle-of-the-road American Christian who is engaging critical thought when looking at our theology against the state of American politics. I’m excited to subscribe!
Christina, thank you! Trust me, I'd follow you across the pond if I could. ; )
You’re always welcome for a visit 😉
I'm so happy for your finding of peace. Welcome to the family of post political Christians. I go to this passage from the Psalms every time I feel the old anxieties of my political past start to churn:
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
Psalm 2:1-4 - New Living Translation
Hmm.
A tough row to hoe but I suspect this is the only way forward. As a Canadian the political crisis in your country is a constant source of anxiety since every collective choice you folks make has profound implications for us north of the border. Our economy and culture are so entwined. One of our past political leaders likened our relationship to a mouse and an elephant sharing the same bed. Everything is ok until the elephant decides to roll over. Also, we have our own social/political groups here which are virtually salivating at the prospect of riding on the coattails of MAGA to transform the status quo of our culture. Many of us take pride, dare I say with some arrogance, that we have consistently been more oriented to the collective, where being progressive was seen as a good thing to most of us. Even our right of centre party was called the Progressive Conservatives until 2003. But like in many of the western democracies we’ve also seen a steady drift towards a more fearful society.
Your call to be “non-anxious about the implications” a reelected Trump has for the rest of the world is a high bar, but I hope it’s one which we as Jesus followers can lean into.
Byron, this perspective is quite helpful, to be frank I often (falsely) assume driving a couple of hours north to the border would poof! create a different reality, but of course we're connected. I won't forget that elephant/mouse analogy.
"Christians can be okay with Trump winning a second term and be non-anxious about the implications that has for the fractured world. "
I don't think I'll ever get to the point of being "Ok" with a 2nd Trump term (something unthinkable that seems be be becoming more of a reality every day now). I can try to be indifferent instead of OK. But we'll likely be called on to resist some of his policies - so I guess I can't be completely indifferent as our democracy is being dismantled.
As you say: "To stay here, to keep living well, is a form of resistance that honors where God has placed us. "
Phil, I really appreciate this comment, thanks for it. I hesitated to write about holy indifference without framing that, and now I think I should have. I'm thinking on indifference in the Ignatian variety, not uncaring but holding the tension of both sides. I suppose by ok I mean indifference, which is a long way of saying accepting of the outcome with a wider frame of my purpose as a Christian, of taking the long view. Seriously hard stuff, and I'm working it out in real time.
Yeah, I guess it's like how Jeremiah told his people that they needed to accept the Babylonian captivity and go on with their lives in Babylon for the appointed time. Most didn't want to hear that and who can blame them? He told them that things would eventually be OK, just not in their lifetime - which means taking a much longer view.
The bigger picture here is that maybe it's time for the American empire to recede into history as all empires do eventually. And yeah, that's going to be really tough for most of us to live through. Haven't gotten around to reading "City of God" yet, but from what I understand Augustine was telling Christians in the far-flung Roman Empire that it's days were numbered so make sure you're living in The City of God and not the City of Man because things were going to get turbulent. Probably that's kind of us right now.
I like to think of it in terms of "holy detachment" too
This Catholic appreciated the reference to indifference. Struggling with professionally having to assess election risk on the daily, your post provoked me to ask myself today and hopefully everyday — what individual did I serve today? How did I make my locale a better place? Whom did I love? Thank you for the needed direction.
Thank you for this. I too am perplexed that it is mainly the white evangelical church that is keeping Donald Trump afloat politically. It has alienated me. But I'm grateful for your suggestion to eat red velvet cake and to rest in the grace of helping others and not taking my identity so much from being a political wonk.
Thanks Thomas. Sending solidarity in the presence of that alienation, it's quite a familiar feeling for us, too.
Well said. I stepped back from politics a while back after realizing how detrimental they had been in my life, all my life. I vote for the person that I think most aligns with how I personally would try and change the world, and let the rest fall where it may.
I think the idea of holy indifference is well-taken; however, I presume you (like myself and most others reading) may well be ‘protected’ in some way by the imminent dangers inherent if a certain candidate won. We would be remiss to not consider that we may be ‘relieved’ becuz of our privilege and are not in danger of anything worse than perhaps some discomfort. I think holy indifference in this climate is turning a blind eye, and I can’t do that and feel like I am living out my faith the way I’m called to in the gospels.
Elle, thanks for this comment. I've been thinking about and writing about this same question. I recently had a long talk with my husband about it, esp since I'm writing and researching holy indifference right now. Essentially, is holy indifference realistic? Is it only a question for folks who have space to consider and not much on the line? All the to say I'm thinking it through, and I'm trying to do so honestly and carefully.
Oh yikes, I can’t watch. But the Idea that we can be ok with Trump winning, and have a holy indifference… Goodness, that’s something I’m going to have to work on. Also, Sara, it’s the DSM, not DMD. 😉 But maybe political anxiety should be included in there!
Thanks for this Sara! I've been ruminating on Psalm 20 since yesterday: "... Some trust in chariots(kings & presidents), and some in horses (military strength): But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: But we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD..." We need to keep trusting in God's ultimate salvation rather than relying on human power. Last night's debate was oh so terrible, and we need to remind ourselves that these horses are not where our faith lies. They are temporary and not the end-all-be-all. We still have community and on the ground actions. (and- I'm saying this as someone who now works in Government and battles ideological clashes and bureaucracy daily.)
Alice! It's really good to hear from you, I'm quite encouraged by this verse. Esp after what's happened with the Supreme Court in the last couple of days. Drew and I are, honestly, deeply discouraged and keep talking about work we can do locally. Grace and love to you and Tim.
Sara, thank you for this. It brought me some comfort this morning.
https://chisomeo.substack.com/p/we-can-only-do-so-much
We can only do so much about this election. But “God’s got us. He’s in control, in control, in control. God’s got us. Let him heal what you refuse to let go. God can nothing and make something great. Make beautiful things from these ugly mistakes. This is the promise. God’s got us. Let the church sing yeahhh. yeahhhh yeahhh. yeahhh. I’ve seen him do miracles, oh, the impossible. Yeahhh, yeah, yeahhh. Seen demons, they tremble, in awe of what he can do, This is the promise. God’s got us.”
Thank you Sara. The conversations we’ve been having with friends post-debate is right in line with your comment: “we need to de-prioritize politics and prioritize loving and serving the people in our local sphere. To appreciate the small things in our own lives. We need to right-size and realize what we can and can’t control.” I’m in the middle of Friedman’s book right now so the idea of trying to be a non-anxious presence really resonates with me.
Thanks, Becky. Friedman's ideas seem to be more and more relevant as 2024 unwinds. Sending support and solidarity!
I loved this so much, Sara! Thank you for bringing such clarity to the subject. This is a keeper.
Crystal, thank you. Thanks so much for reading.
this was such a lovely and compelling read. I came to many of the same conclusions yesterday post-disastrous Supreme Court rulings.
Thanks for writing this. I can't wait to share with my husband.
I love this take so much. (Not surprising.) and I’m so glad to be journeying and writing alongside you, my friend. You are a gift.
Liz, thank you friend. That means a lot!