Tues., November 12, 2024

The Rev. ROBERT E. STEVENS, JR.

"May We Change the Wind"

For me this past week was very hard, and the election has put in stark relief just how divided we are here in the United States. Within this context, as I prepared to come and preach to you today, I felt strongly that while I didn't want to use my words to hit or wound people, I also didn't want my words to fall short, to feel as though I was shying away from the moment, or responding in a feeble or cowardly manner.

To co-opt the simple sentiment of RESIST doesn't feel right to me either; instead I look to Jesus' example, of one who is not simply going to name and decry bad behavior, but also one who is going to use his position of power to CONNECT. That our baptismal vows enable us to commit acts of good and faithful living, and that we do not have to walk the pathway alone. That we have God's help to guide, and galvanize us.

I was taught early on, and I actually read in a book, that a politician's job is to see which way the wind is blowing; that their job is to serve the prevailing winds. In this book, and the way I was raised, was with the understanding that our job is not so much to change the politicians, it's to change the wind.

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