[November 2020] Pastoral Message

In 2016, I remember how the U.S. presidential election that year was the most nerve-wrecking election ever for many people. I wasn’t quite anxious throughout the year but was completely caught off guard when I received the result.

Now as we face another presidential election four years later, it feels like the whole county is in a state of near hysteria.

We do not know what will happen with the election this year, but I would like to simply share with you the words of John Wesley, who in his journal wrote the following about voting:

“October 6, 1774

I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them

1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy

2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and

3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”

As the most contentious election of our time approaches, I encourage you to fully exercise your voting rights with civility while pressing forward in love of God and our neighbors. As followers of Christ, remember to practice “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22) with those who are politically different from you. Treat everyone with respect and love.

Most importantly, don’t forget that regardless the outcome of the election, Jesus Christ will still be our Lord and Savior, and our call to be the peacemakers will remain as well. Let us continually pray for our country, for one another, for ourselves, and pursue the heavenly goal.

Peace,

Rev. Sunyoung Lee