The Peace that Surpasses Understanding

Five days before the election I’m thinking a lot about the promise in Scripture of “the peace that surpasses understanding.”  Paul writes these words to the Philippians while he is imprisoned (he will later be put to death). “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

How can this be? What does this mean? There was so much for Paul to be anxious about.  And there is so much for us to be anxious about – global pandemic and income inequality, climate crisis, systemic racism, homophobia, and misogyny, and a presidential election that has been…well…fraught.

But Paul tells us that this peace will guard our hearts and minds.  Is it promise? Or maybe it is an assignment? Maybe my homework is to guard my heart and mind with peace so I can do “what is mine to do” to address all these anxious-making things with a gentleness (and not a namby-pamby gentleness, but a fierce gentleness that kicks ass and takes names and gets things done!).   

Philippians isn’t the only Scripture in my head and on my heart these days.  I’m thinking a LOT about Matthew 25.  You know, the Last Judgement.  “Whatsoever you do for the least of my people…that you do unto me.”  I grew up singing that song and I know this parable is one of the things that formed me into the multi-issue voter I am.  I care about the the unborn – I do.  But the campaign promise of overturning Roe v Wade and criminalizing abortion does not determine who I will vote for.  I believe that the defense of the innocent unborn includes the defense of that baby’s momma and daddy, too. That means healthcare and housing and fair employment and just policing – and a sustainable world to grow up and grow old in. I know “the least of my people” includes immigrants and refugees, people of color, queer folks, and the old and disabled and infirm. 

The other Scripture I’m praying with is 1 John 4. “Let us love one another, for love comes from God.  …  If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  … God is love.  …  There is no fear in love. …  Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. …  Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”  

Whatever happens on November 3 – and the days and weeks and months to come — whatever  happens during the long, dark winter ahead, I know I need to stay faithful to my contemplative prayer practice and center myself in God’s love (all around me and within me) so my heart and my mind can look for ways I can be useful, for ways I can be of service, for ways I can help, for ways I can love with fierce gentleness. May we all identify “what is mine to do” and have the strength and courage to do it.

Oh – and for the love of God and God’s people, VOTE!