The Things that Make for Peace

Last night, I couldn’t fall asleep.

After a long day on Monday when I intentionally didn’t dive into the news, knowing I couldn’t process yet another mass shooting, I took a deep breath yesterday and started to read.

And my reaction was what I knew it would be: shock. Disbelief. Anger. And pain.

Emotions that sit heavy on my heart, and can’t easily be brushed off by distractions.

So it was no surprise that as I went to bed and tried to quiet my mind, all those feelings came roaring back. And as I laid there, trying to shut down for the night, two passages of Scripture kept running through my head.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41-42)

These passages competed for my attention, along with all the compelling statistics, quotes and images I also saw in my scrolling yesterday:

That the majority of Americans now want to see common-sense gun reforms

That America is the only country in the world to see this level of gun-related violence, and certainly this number of mass shootings

That guns are the leading cause of death for children in the country

That since Congress repealed the assault weapons ban in 2005, the lethality of mass shootings in this country has steadily worsened. (see especially this graph)

And finally, this image, shared by our own Pastor Pete, along with many of my other friends. (I’m unsure of the original creator, but found it on Facebook here.)

The debate over gun rights and gun control and gun violence in our country is so deeply divisive, and has such a long and turbulent history, that it’s hard to feel like any of us has anything new to say.

But here’s a thought, anyway.

As Pastor Pete reflected with me today, it seems like much of our conversations in recent years have taken our politics as a starting point and our theology as what follows. We come to church as Democrats or Republicans and look for a preacher, a bible translation, a denominational affiliation, that reflects how we vote.

But the call of the gospel, as I understand it, is the opposite. That we take the scriptures, and the person of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the work of the Holy Spirit among us and let those things inform our politics.

And those passages that I can’t get out of my head, they tell me that God’s vision for us is one of peace. That we are called to recognize and embrace the things that make for peace.

I cannot for a second imagine that more guns will bring peace. That arming teachers with AR-15s will remove the threat of school shootings.

What I can imagine is turning swords into plowshares. And teaching not about war anymore, but about peace.

To me, that means responsible gun ownership: safe storage, firearm locks, red flag laws and universal background checks. But it also means that weapons of war like assault rifles and high-capacity magazines should have no place in civilian life.

I get a lot of flack sometimes for combining my politics and my preaching. And the response I give, the response I will always give, is this: my religion informs how I think about politics. I cannot possibly separate the two. To do so would be dishonest, because I don’t enter politics as a democrat first, or an Illinois voter first, but as a Christian first.

And Christ tells me to pursue the things that make for peace.

So today, I will weep and I will rage and I will probably make myself get off the couch and go for a run because it’s the best stress relief I know.

But I will also get to work. Calling my representatives, donating to organizations who are working for peace, and speaking aloud what I understand to be the gospel’s message for us in this moment.

I hope you’ll do the same.

-Pastor Jen

Bear

As some of you know, The COVID-19 bug finally got to me. A sore throat, sloppy cold and a positive test sealed my fate for a few days. Nothing serious, thanks to shots and boosters! While I’m feeling better each day, and will be cleared to be back in circulation soon, I cannot comprehend that millions of folks have lost their lives to this virus.

I have been alone, obviously, for a few days now. Wait, I must take that back. Bonnie has hibernated in the other bedroom down the hall: she is doing well and wants to keep it that way! But bear has been my trusty companion. I have heard before from others how a pet seems to recognize illness or anxiety and draw especially close during such times, as if to comfort. This has been my experience this week. As I write even now bear is invading my personal space.

Bear came to us on July 4 last summer. We met his temporary keeper at a dog park and brought him home. Though we don’t know for sure his age, he’s definitely still very much a puppy. And though we don’t know what he went through early in his life, it likely involved moving from place to place and spending lots of time alone in a locked room. For a Labrador Retriever, both of these things are immediate crises!

We have enjoyed watching him settle into life in our home, and backyard, and we have been amazed by his constant nearness and love for snuggling, as if he’s still a bit worried about not being left alone.

This week I have experienced God’s love and presence and comfort through this beautiful creature. He twirls around and plops down, wedging his back into my right leg. I feel his touch. After a bit, he turns around and places his snout across my hip as I pet him for a while and we rest together. When the mail or a package from Amazon comes, he barks as if to protect me. By yesterday (Tuesday) I felt well enough too long for some fresh air, and so took him for a walk…or should I say bear took me! Pulling with excitement, greeting every person and other dog with eager joy. We did see a horse, and he wasn’t so sure about that creature he likely has never seen before!

Back at home, he is constantly with me. Reading while laying on the couch, he wedges himself in-between my legs, plops down and takes a deep cleansing breath. Working at the dining room table, he lays at my feet, literally on my feet to warm them. Where I go, he goes. Though isolated, I am never alone.

Wendy Francisco years ago created a song that became a book called God and God. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/c7ZkSm24xiM

I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog. Simple spelling G O D, same word backwards, D O G. They would stay with me all day. I’m the one who walks away. But both of them just wait for me, and dance at my return with glee. Both love me no matter what – divine God and canine mutt. I take it hard each time I fail, but God forgives, dog wags his tail. God thought up and made the dog, dog reflects a part of God. I’ve seen love from both sides now, it’s everywhere, amen, bow wow. I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog. And in my human frailty…I can’t match their love for me.

This is my experience, day after day, and especially in these last few days. God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good! Bear reminds me of the “HESED”, the “steadfast love” of God that never ceases and is new every morning.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Bear

As some of you know, The COVID-19 bug finally got to me. A sore throat, sloppy cold and a positive test sealed my fate for a few days. Nothing serious, thanks to shots and boosters! While I’m feeling better each day, and will be cleared to be back in circulation soon, I cannot comprehend that millions of folks have lost their lives to this virus.

I have been alone, obviously, for a few days now. Wait, I must take that back. Bonnie has hibernated in the other bedroom down the hall: she is doing well and wants to keep it that way! But bear has been my trusty companion. I have heard before from others how a pet seems to recognize illness or anxiety and draw especially close during such times, as if to comfort. This has been my experience this week. As I write even now bear is invading my personal space.

Bear came to us on July 4 last summer. We met his temporary keeper at a dog park and brought him home. Though we don’t know for sure his age, he’s definitely still very much a puppy. And though we don’t know what he went through early in his life, it likely involved moving from place to place and spending lots of time alone in a locked room. For a Labrador Retriever, both of these things are immediate crises!

We have enjoyed watching him settle into life in our home, and backyard, and we have been amazed by his constant nearness and love for snuggling, as if he’s still a bit worried about not being left alone.

This week I have experienced God’s love and presence and comfort through this beautiful creature. He twirls around and plops down, wedging his back into my right leg. I feel his touch. After a bit, he turns around and places his snout across my hip as I pet him for a while and we rest together. When the mail or a package from Amazon comes, he barks as if to protect me. By yesterday (Tuesday) I felt well enough too long for some fresh air, and so took him for a walk…or should I say bear took me! Pulling with excitement, greeting every person and other dog with eager joy. We did see a horse, and he wasn’t so sure about that creature he likely has never seen before!

Back at home, he is constantly with me. Reading while laying on the couch, he wedges himself in-between my legs, plops down and takes a deep cleansing breath. Working at the dining room table, he lays at my feet, literally on my feet to warm them. Where I go, he goes. Though isolated, I am never alone.

Wendy Francisco years ago created a song that became a book called God and God. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/c7ZkSm24xiM

I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog. Simple spelling G O D, same word backwards, D O G. They would stay with me all day. I’m the one who walks away. But both of them just wait for me, and dance at my return with glee. Both love me no matter what – divine God and canine mutt. I take it hard each time I fail, but God forgives, dog wags his tail. God thought up and made the dog, dog reflects a part of God. I’ve seen love from both sides now, it’s everywhere, amen, bow wow. I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog. And in my human frailty…I can’t match their love for me.

This is my experience, day after day, and especially in these last few days. God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good! Bear reminds me of the “HESED”, the “steadfast love” of God that never ceases and is new every morning.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!