Red leaves covering the steps from my house to the sidewalk signal a change of season. I’m grateful for the end of relentless heat and pesky mosquitoes; however, that gratitude, like the mixed colors of fall, is blended together with bits of fear and trepidation about what this winter will hold. Blustery-cold days and nights will soon become the norm. But more significant than the bitter cold that will seep to the surface of my skin is the insidious chill that may settle between us as Americans on the other side of what is sure to be yet another hotly-contested election in one of the most polarized times our country has ever experienced.
What will we do as kingdom people? Who will we be as the Body of Christ? Do we have the faith and fortitude as followers of Jesus to live as those whose hope is in the subversive, neighbor-AND-enemy-loving kingdom? What are the ways we will rightly live as prophets and priests in our communities as we center ourselves on the King?
These questions have hung heavy in my soul for weeks. In response to the magnitude of this season, Missio Alliance has begun a daily prayer time leading up to election. Our prayers are focused on several of the Beatitudes, reminding us of who we are, what we value, and how we express kingdom living. These prayer times will be facilitated by leading global missiologists, local pastors, and peacemakers. I hope you’ll join us as we look to center ourselves in the presence of God amidst the cultural chaos.
Since faithful living extends beyond the outcome of the election, we’ve also scheduled a two-week series of engaging dialogues with leading thinkers and pastors. These “Crucial Conversations” will take place November 4th and 11th and will offer reflections, thought leadership, and the exchange of actionable ideas as we live into the other side of this historic moment.
As I share what Missio Alliance is planning in the coming weeks, I feel hope springing up and dulling some of my nagging fears. I’m reminded that we are on this journey together. I’m reminded that as the body of Christ, united by a kingdom ethic, empowered by the Spirit, we are a people of faith, hope, and love. I’m reminded that despite all the uncertainty and change around us, we live in light of the unshakable kingdom of God.
Seasons will certainly change. Leaves will fall. The earth will harden with winter. Trees will bud in the spring. The mosquitos will make their pesky reappearance in the summer. In the midst of it all, we worship and are surrendered to the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
All live conversations can be viewed at facebook.com/missioalliance/live.