A City on a Hill…During Election Season?

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

— Matthew 5:14-16, New American Standard Bible

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Hey Church Fam!

We all know how stressful election season can be—if you’re not feeling your own anxiety, I’m sure you can sense the anxiety of all those around you.

Especially in this election season, tensions seem to be running very high as the radical left and the radical right collide over and over.

I don’t know about you, but at times, I’ve found myself just wishing that Jesus was here to submit his vote and advocate what is good in His eyes, so then we could all just copy Him. But that’s not what the Lord intended for us.

It’s a privilege to be able to converse with God and discern for ourselves where His heart lies.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to sit down with congregation member Pastor Jasmine Francis, Carson Hamrick, Yesenia Gonzalez and Alison Helfferich to discuss ways in which we, as Jesus-followers, can navigate this Election Season.

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Pastor Jasmine:

“Well first, I’d say to protect your own peace—self care, maintaining your relationship with God, and doing what it is that you need to do to be at peace with yourself and your own mental health.

“And I’ll say the second thing is practice being a peace-maker with others, which is an active task. It’s not just keeping the peace, not saying anything or disrupting the status quo, but actively seeking to make peace and create peace, which can sometimes create justice and that makes waves for conversation, which makes waves for change…

“And seeing where God is working and moving, and stepping into those conversations to partner with Him to bring more peaceful conversations and progressive change.”

Carson Hamrick:

“In an election year where both parties are defined by their most extreme policies, and the threat of retaliation against whoever is elected is a bigger possibility than ever, it is so easy to match hate with hate. 

“But I have found solace in Matthew 5:10-11, where it calls for us to maintain our righteousness in the face of those who insult and persecute us. 

“We, as believers, are not defined by the party we choose, nor condemned by the opposing voters. 

“So, match hate with love, even when it might be the hardest thing you have ever had to do. Let your faith speak for you in times where spouting venom seems like the only option.”

Yesenia Gonzalez:

“To be Christ-centered is to have your heart in prayer and say, God, what are You speaking to me? What are You telling me?” 

“And… then God’s going to give you the words to speak out loud.

On whatever playing field you are for—Democrats or Republicans—it’s what God puts in your heart.

“And I think personally that God is going to speak to your heart and you will have peace in your heart, no matter what decision you choose. 

“You will have peace, and the rest is up to God. No matter what, God is still on the throne, so just fix your eyes on God and not on any [political] party. “

Alison Helfferich:

“Pray. Pray for peace. Peace for in yourself and in the country. Pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding, that comes only from Christ, our God.

“And if we lean into peace and ask for peace over ourselves and over others, then we can rest that God is in control and no matter what happens, we can lean on Him. “