Well, I'm as mad and sad as I can possibly be. And I know many of you are, too.
Here's the deal: No one's going to lead in any way that will make things better.
This is up to us.
Here's the deal: No one's going to lead in any way that will make things better.
This is up to us.
We're going to have to take care of one another. Period. Not because we're great. Not because of a leader inspiring us.
But because we can be a people who love each other, who care for our neighbors.
But because we can be a people who love each other, who care for our neighbors.
We've got to be brave and prepared and informed. We need to reject FOX news and that whole eco-system of lies. We need to make sure that those who live next door are OK, comforted, have what they need to get through this.
We're going to trust good doctors and caring teachers and courageous clergy - we're going to not be stupid. And we're not going to turn our beautiful nation into some dystopian movie.
Because we are real human beings with great capacity of compassion, empathy, and wisdom.
Because we are real human beings with great capacity of compassion, empathy, and wisdom.
I know it doesn't seem that way. We've been mad at each other. We've divided ourselves. But guess what?
A people divided cannot stand.
That's a real thing.
A people divided cannot stand.
That's a real thing.
A long time ago, I was alone and in despair. I had lost everything. And when I thought my life was over, people I didn't even know stood up with and for me.
Students I'd taught, pastors I didn't know, people who read a newspaper column I wrote, complete strangers.
Students I'd taught, pastors I didn't know, people who read a newspaper column I wrote, complete strangers.
That's why I persist in believing that we aren't horrible. Because I've experienced selfless love directed at me when it wasn't required, when people had nothing to gain by caring.
God made us in God's own image - and that image is love.
We can turn away from that or toward it.
God made us in God's own image - and that image is love.
We can turn away from that or toward it.
So, we've got a big choice. Away from love or toward it? Whether you think that's a calling based in faith or a humanist impulse or whatever.
Because love is it. Period.
Because love is it. Period.
In the coming weeks, we don't know what will happen. There are many frightening scenarios. But, if we keep focussing on being our best selves, on loving our neighbors, that will make things better.
If we stand up for strangers, esp reaching toward those who are alone & afraid.
If we stand up for strangers, esp reaching toward those who are alone & afraid.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18)
Even if love isn't "perfect," even if it is halting and worried, it is way better than the alternative.
So, wherever you are - whoever you are - whatever you do - you get to lead in love. We're going to lead in love. Together.
The more of us who do good, the more deeply we love, the more we strive to care, the better this will go.
The more of us who do good, the more deeply we love, the more we strive to care, the better this will go.
Love won't fix this. But it can save us.
"Save," btw, comes from a root word that means to be delivered, to make whole, to heal.
America needs to heal. From more than this virus. So much that has sickened us.
This scary, angering moment may hold healing.
Through love.
"Save," btw, comes from a root word that means to be delivered, to make whole, to heal.
America needs to heal. From more than this virus. So much that has sickened us.
This scary, angering moment may hold healing.
Through love.
