Musings after the elections are over

All of my readers are well aware that I do not become passive when election time comes around. I never miss casting my vote. I put up signs and contribute money to candidates. It is not a religious duty, but a moral obligation that comes with being an American. Americans have chosen a messy form of government. All are invited to join in the system. I have always been ready for the fray.

Barack Obama was elected to a second term. The demands that will be placed on him are beyond imagination. I am a social justice Christian. I hope in his second term, President Obama will make decisions and appointments that will further human rights around the world. I want women to have full equal opportunities. I want my gay friends to have the right to marry. I want opportunity to be returned to my friends who are in prisons. I have excellent health care. I want that same quality of health care to be available to every person in the world. I live in a comfortable dwelling. I want a comfortable home for everyone.

While the elections brought significant milestones in the realm of social justice, social justice was rendered an enormous defeat because it was ignored in the campaign.

The arguments between the candidates were reduced to the increase of jobs in America. In the jobs discussion I heard no one speak about the need for satisfying labor for anyone other than Americans. I have concluded that Americans will be satisfied only if we can remain “king of the hill,” especially in economics. We want lots of jobs, good paying jobs, right here. We are setting the stage for the next round of wars. If the great issue of life is jobs, the whole world is in big trouble.

On the wall of my office, there is a message that I often view and ponder. The framed statement was given to me by a beloved parishioner. She had taken a class in calligraphy and applied it to an important message: “Dear Howard, I would rather do it myself. Love, God.”

I reread the message today in the context of the American elections. Is it now in the aftermath of the elections that I need to check out my best understanding of the wisdom of God and the will of my Lord Jesus? Is it possible that the best use of some of my time is the reconsideration of the way I am spending my energies?

Steve Martin is in Anchorage. It is a hot ticket. Two shows only. Sold out. I was given tickets to one. I passed it on to a person who really wanted to go. A night with Steve Martin was not what I needed. I needed to be by myself.

I have kept a weekly breakfast date with a social activist friend for more than 10 years. I called him and canceled the date. I will sleep a bit longer and then fix breakfast for two at home.

I need to take more time to ponder the things of God. I need to do some fresh translating of the truths of God into everyday life. What does it mean to be my brothers’ keeper? Does God really give priority to the poor? How far should we take this love of neighbor? Is there some sort of a limit on loving mercy? Will it really make a difference if I walk humbly with god?

My friends are dying off. This week I received notices of the deaths of two wonderful longtime friends. They were reminders that my own time is limited.

Life is going too fast. Speed has its handicaps, and in the pursuit of speed, quality disappears. We have more than ever, but seem to appreciate it less.

I am glad that the election is past. It is a good time to take a fresh look at life and ask what it is all about. Just now the advice of the spiritual “Slow Me Down, Lord, I’m Moving Too Fast” sounds very good. I may still have a lot to offer to the world, but I suspect it comes packaged “high quality” rather than “speed up.”

In the midst of this muddled epistle, lyrics to an old popular song keep coming to mind. “What the world needs now is love, sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love, no not just for some, but for everyone.” Now this I can do at a nice, slow pace.

Life is too important to live it fast.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.

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