Dear AWAB Family & Friends,
Where to begin? First, I want you to know, you are not alone. I can only imagine the feelings, emotions, and levels of grief being experienced by so many of you. As well as fear, anxiety, and concern, for so much of the unknown ahead. And anger. Anger at a political system flawed in all its parts no matter what side of the proverbial aisle you find yourself. Anger with people, fellow citizens and perhaps even family members and close friends, who see things so differently and who voted differently too.
I watched the election results come in with neighbors last night. I found myself numb as the momentum for the MAGA movement built. Once we determined we couldn’t watch any more as the inevitable was apparent, I returned home to turn in. Sleep didn’t come easy. And then in the early hours of the morning my phone began to buzz with text messages, calls, emails, and more online posts than I could keep up with. It was disheartening to read the grief many are experiencing, and it was heartening too to appreciate the hope some possess.
As I laid in bed processing what was stirring in me, and because I am a Baptist, the following verses literally came to mind because I’ve had them memorized for years. And before you read them, please know that I share these not to trivialize what we’re now experiencing, but to keep us connected with those who have gone before us and the ways our ancient forebears needed to navigate the injustice of empires in their time…
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, [God’s] mercies never come to an end…”
—Lamentations 3:21-22
“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”
—2 Corinthians 4:7-9
“After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and cornelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald.”
— Revelation 4:1-3
As we let such sacred texts speak into our present moment, however they may, I must believe that those who once penned such words, they like us needed to let themselves experience the full weight of reality and grief they knew. So, for now, AWAB family and friends, feel what you are and what you must. Express your anger and grief. Reach out to those with whom you can simply be present, either in person, by phone, in a service, or in a Zoom room. Let’s not jump ahead quickly thinking we must just be brave. Bravery, courage, and the stamina to pursue justice will be needed soon enough. But for now, may we be in solidarity with each other. Though our AWAB family and friends span the globe, we will stand together, no matter where we are…whether in the United States, Canada, Uganda, Kenya, Georgia, Puerto Rico, or beyond.
Please know that AWAB staff and board are here to be a support. If you need to reach out, please email or call us. However I can personally support you, I am here.
For now, the creative, colorful, meaning-filled words from the Book of the Revelation above are impressed upon my mind’s imagination, “…and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald.” The writer of the Apocalypse invites us in our darkest hours to see how with rainbow color and power, that which is evil will ultimately never prevail fully. And so, as we grieve, and grieve we must, may we also cling to such truth.
Together, we will do far more than any of us can do alone.
Brian Henderson
Executive Director