For the past few days the early morning sky has been clear. On my predawn walks I can clearly see Venus rising in the eastern sky, Mars setting in the western sky, and Orion and Gemini directly overhead. There is a portion of my walk along Bloomfield Avenue that is without sidewalks so I walk in the bike lane, facing traffic, and for a short stretch there are no streetlights. The other morning I was nearly hit by a bicyclist riding in the bike lane because it was quite dark and neither the bicyclist nor I saw the other.
Today as I walked that stretch of road it seemed somewhat brighter and I could easily see what was ahead. I first thought they had put in some streetlights but that had not happened. There was a low cloud cover this morning and I realized that the illumination was simply the reflection of the city lights off of the low-lying clouds.
During the day the sun shines brightly and clouds curb the sun’s brightness and the accompanying heat. If there is a big storm with thick, widespread clouds, it can become as dark as night. Those same clouds can reflect the light of the city at night when the sun is hidden from view by the earth. It reminded me of Jesus words to his disciples in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Today is Election Day and it seems as if the two political parties are filled with animosity and outright hatred toward each other. Social media is rife with posts and memes vilifying those with opposing points of view and there is talk among some of rioting and insurrection if the party they support in the presidential race is not elected. The normal animosity often experienced during the time of an election seems amplified because of the pandemic and peoples’ frustration of not being able to go about their normal lives. It is a dark time and God seems absent from any social discourse. At a time like this the Christian community should be letting their lights shine, reflecting light off of the low-lying clouds of our society to illuminate our world, showing the proper way to live peacefully, with love. Unfortunately many in the Christian community are among the leaders of those spreading the animosity and hatred.
I will be happy when this election has passed but I wonder if our country will be able to come together and work toward a common goal or if we will continue to engage in vilification of those with whom they disagree. I’m quite certain it will not happen unless the broader Christian community begins to reflect the image of Christ and start to spread love, forgiveness, and compassion for others instead of animosity and hatred. We would do well to heed the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” It is our only hope.
