Category Archives: mercy

Post 2024 Election Insights: Humility and Hope

November 14th, 2024 | Dr. Charlie Self

As people celebrate or mourn the election results of last week, it is wise to consider the varied messages by the voters. Some really good news: there are no accusations or evidence of serious fraud or malfeasance by either party and the current Administration is committed to peaceful transition. Kudos to those elected and those leaving office for their commitment to our process.

Observations

The BIG news: American politics is complex, local, and voters do not always conform to economic, ethnic, religious, social, or political expectations. All candidates must listen to the concerns underneath the issues. The Republican victory is a response to real life problems that people of diverse classes and cultures think are important. The economy and work opportunities, safety, immigration, and cultural sanity were at the top of the list. At the same time, abortion rights were expanded in seven states, and many who voted for a Republican president voted for Democratic legislators.

The Democratic Party was playing catch-up the entire time as they had just a few months to present a new candidate to the nation. There was not time enough to move toward the political center which is where most Americans feel at home. The shift in voting patterns arose from particular concerns. and reflects voters’ resistance to elites badgering, condescending, and exhorting them to vote certain ways or be labeled as foolish at best and other epithets at worst. For example, the same groups that normally appreciate larger federal involvement do not appreciate being labeled and libeled for wanting to keep female and male sports separate. Many moderate to liberal religious people of all ethnicities and traditions grew tired of being considered ignorant or phobic.

Hopefully, Republicans will see this moment as an opportunity for prudential stewardship of the public trust, from shedding excess waste in spending, reforming and simplifying tax policies, moving toward energy independence, and finding solutions for crime and unchecked immigration. At the same time, Americans are generally hospitable to legal immigrants, generous to those in need, and depend on Medicare and Social Security functioning well. Working- and middle-class folks recoiled at paying off student loans, especially those that paid them off in full or worked their way through school.

A Place for Divine Providence

As a Christian, how do I see God at work in this moment? Three things guide my discernment. First, God’s providence leaves much room for human freewill and its consequences. Second, only a moral and spiritual awakening born of the Holy Spirit and touching all of life will reverse the idolatry, immorality, and injustice of the last several decades. This awakening is not a political movement, but a divine invitation to follow Christ crucified and risen. Third, there are moments of opportunity God grants to individuals, communities, and nations to alter course and move in the direction of, “doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly” before the Almighty (Micah 6:8).

President Trump’s uncouth methods and unwise words, and his intense promotion of election interference alienated many. The election of President Biden was seen as a move to moderation and civility. Instead of leading from the center, however, the Biden administration missed their opportunity and chose policies that alienated moderates and animated conservatives.

The second Trump administration has a chance to serve all Americans and promote policies that can unify a very divided and diverse nation. Leaving abortion with the states lets both sides persuade constituencies. Energy independence with proper environmental safeguards will help many economically. Creating a hospitable and secure border will have generational impact. Defending Israel’s right to flourish and make peace with her neighbors (expanding the Abraham Accords) is important. Standing for religious and political freedom around the world are morally wise positions.

Peacemaking Advice

As this transition occurs, may the new leaders eschew revenge and work collaboratively across the divides. Keep your promises with humility. Instead of mass deportations, register all undocumented residents and start the pathway to citizenship and residency. Deport criminals. Screen people at the border. Protect the vulnerable, especially children. Incentivize entrepreneurship. Streamline federal bureaucracies and return power to the states and municipalities where possible. Work with leaders of both parties and balance a budget. No life-altering drug treatments or surgeries for children confused about their sex. Stimulate fresh thinking on homelessness, with new ideas and resources for addiction and mental health treatments. Support law enforcement while holding them to high standards and winnowing out corruption and racism.

May those assuming power understand the gravity and hopefulness of this moment and walk forward with courage, love, and wisdom.

Navigating Unfairness in Life and Work

October 28th, 2019 | Dr. Charlie Self

A sense of justice is hard-wired into the human psyche. Without training, a three-year-old will say, “Unfair!” We are rightly outraged at abuse, prejudice, and violence. But what about the more daily, subtle ways unfairness comes into our lives?

A colleague and I sat down with a leader and shared some of our creative thinking for a new product. We were met with condescension and kindness and the meeting ended well. A year later, we discovered that our ideas had been rebranded, and met with public favor!

Our first responses were incredulity, anger, and resignation. It was maddening to see another get credit and our efforts be ignored. We both thought, “Self-denial is hard when he advances, and we are ignored.”

It is frustrating when others are celebrated, and we feel unheard and unseen. Our first reactions are not yet sins. The next moments determine whether we wallow in self-pity or cultivate godly character. When unfairness happens, our hidden religiosity comes to the surface.

Three insights help us endure these moments. First, remembering God’s mercy in our lives helps us extend grace when life is unfair (Rom. 12:9-21). Second, we ultimately work for One Master, who will reward more lavishly that human leaders (Col. 3:17-25). Finally, God uses these moments for our transformation (Rom. 8:28-39).

Life will be unfair. But we can turn our circumstances into character development and wisdom. We do not celebrate victimhood; however, we can refuse to wallow in commiseration and chose the high road of forgiveness.

Kyrie Eleison

January 29th, 2012 | Dr. Charlie Self

Today I paused and considered the state of our nation, the political discourse and my recent essays. While I remain deeply concerned about our country’s future and profoundly troubled by the current administration, I think a moment of introspection is due – for me, for the churches of our land, and for every thoughtful person that possesses some reverence for God and respect for others. In the midst of passionate polemics, we can forget our own personal proclivities for good and evil. In the middle of debating economic policies, we can be ignorant of needs across the street and around the world that we can help solve.

For years I have been calling – along with thousands of others – for a moral and spiritual awakening that compels consecration among believers, conversion of many and transformation of economic, moral and social spheres of our world. We need to be aroused from our selfish stupors and embraced by Divine love and holiness. Such conversion is not for our own ecstatic delight alone; authentic awakening compels service to those that cannot return the favor. Consecration to God also stimulates creativity and cooperation that can engender new wealth.

Where do we start? New mass meetings? Viral sermons and prayer times? Another 3, 7 or 12-step book? All of these may help. But there is a ancient prayer that we can offer that may be the spark for the millions of brush fires we need.

The prayer I speak of is the Kyrie Eleison prayer used by all streams global Christianity. Rooted in the texts of Old and New Testament, the prayer means, “Lord, have mercy.” The Orthodox tradition adds the famous, “Jesus Prayer” – “Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy (on me).” These ancient words of humility and dependence are needed in our hour of nattonal and personal crises.

Yes, we must debate, vote and work. Yes, we must allow for civil discourse and not impose any religious tests for citizenship, public office or neighborliness. I am not speaking of a movement that imposes prayer – I am calling on all people of faith to pray these words from the depths of hearts hungry for change. We must not make this prayer privately engaging and publicly irrelevant. “Lord, have mercy…” needs to offered for all women and men, whether we agree with their personal choices or political ideas. “Kyrie Eleison” applies to churchgoers enslaved to food and pornography as well as all who struggle with all addictions.

“Kyrie Eleison” means I will pray for our President’s well-being and that God will help him change where needed as well as persevere where good is promoted. “Lord have mercy” begins with my own soul and reverberates to a world starving for moral leadership. Here are some Kyrie Eleison prayers to get us started in a new direction of civility and hope:

“Lord, have mercy on me for my myopic vision and self-centered living. Help me wake up every day with the desire to honor you and bring good to others. Help me see all my activity as service and keep me from merely advancing my agendas.”

“Lord, have mercy on your church. Let every community, every parish experience gracious renewal as your love and holiness are the focus rather than consumer needs and personal preferences. Kyrie Eleison – renew us in this day. We deserve wrath – please remember mercy.”

“Lord, have mercy on our nation. You love all humankind and will bless all who call on your Name in truth. Help us appreciate your work in our history while repenting of our arrogance. We are only as exceptional as our reverence for you and our integrity in life. Forgive our prejudice toward “the other.” We forget that each person we see is made in your image and an object of your affection. Forgive our wanton disregard for life, from conception to coronation, from forgetting the poor and vulnerable to treating the aged and challenged as burdens.”

“Kyrie Eleison for our current administrations in our cities, counties, states and in Washington, D.C. Help all in places of power to be servants not masters, stewards of a trust and not despots of select interests. Help all in service to debate well and forge solutions that move us forward. Keep them alert to the dangers of radical ideologies that hold so many captive. Let your love, holiness and mercy move them in pursuit of equity and opportunity, always sustaining faith in the Almighty and in their neighbor.”

Many more prayers can be offered. What would happen if millions of us cried out every day, “Lord have mercy.”? Perhaps we would forgive from our hearts and be less angry. Perhaps the glory of God and good of others would restrain our egos. Perhaps we would sit down with rivals and ask the question, “What is the best way forward regardless of who is funding our campaigns?”

One thing is certain: if we walk in this disposition, we will contribute more than we take from our world and make at least one person’s day brighter. Perhaps that is where the awakening begins.