Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6.3-5)

We spend much our lives not knowing, well, much of anything really! Especially about our faith, that’s why they call it faith right?! But it feels like lately, and especially right now, as we look to what everyone is calling a historic election, I don’t know of anyone who feels certain about the outcome of the election and what it may bring, whatever the results may be, whenever the results may be…

And I don’t really have any wise words of counsel or deep words of wisdom to alleviate all that this unknowing brings.

So we remain in this state of uncomfortable unknowing. Unknowing about the future of the United States of America. Unknowing about the future legitimacy-by-the-state of many of our relationships. Unknowing about how or whether our beautiful Brown, Black, trans, non-binary, queer bodies will ever be fully honored, fully embraced, fully protected by our elected officials.

But in the midst of this unknowing, all I can do, all I can manage really, is to trust in what I do know: my life, my identity as one baptized into the death and resurrection of my sibling, Jesus Christ. God’s own, God in the flesh, God who came to walk with us, and live with us, and whom we die with right alongside. It is my Savior, my Redeemer, the God who has seen multitudes of my forebears through the full expanse of what humanity might experience: pain and pleasure, sorrow and joy; fear and gladness; life and death. This is a God, I know can, has, and will hold me through all the days of my life.

And so dear ones, as you gather together in your communities, in whatever form that means for you. As we, together, wait and watch for what the future holds, know that I hold you in gentle prayer, know that your God, your beloved Creator, Redeemer, and, yes, Sustainer holds you in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

As we wait and watch, let us pray:

Holy One, Loving Creator,

You name us, and know us, and love us down to the last atom of our being. In the uncertainties, and doubts, and fears that these days throw at us. We thank you for the sure and certain knowledge of your lovingkindness poured out on your whole creation. 

We commend all that we have, all that we are: our decision making, our candidates and elected leaders, our fears, our anxieties, our mental illness, our protest, our joy, our beloved communities; Our whole being, O God, we commend to you.

In these days ahead, send us your Spirit and keep watch Divine One, that we may know your gentle presence, your overflowing grace, and your fierce love, made real to us in your Beloved, Jesus Christ, our Sibling, and our Redeemer. Amen.

May it be so, dear friends, may it be so.

Matt James, Co-Chair, ELM Board