Song by Iris DeMent | Article about Election Preparation |

Friends,

Honestly, I hate all the election guessing. It doesn't make the wait less stressful. You know?

-Elizabeth

Maybe I'm Not the Good Guy

My junior high school youth group (many years ago) had a starv-a-thon. We didn't eat for 24 (or 36?) hours and raised money for the Heifer Project. At the end the parents provided a lovely chicken, rice, and vegetables dinner.

One third of us were given half a chicken, rice, and vegetables. One third got a big bowl of rice. And one third got a glass of water. This was modeling the world distribution of food. I got the half chicken and shared generously with my sister who had nothing. It was great fun.

Well, my sister didn't think it was great fun.

I remember this event as a great learning about the world, and my place in the world as a Christian with regard to excess and shortages. Charity is deeply ingrained in my faith story. It is my responsibility, and it feels good, to share why leftovers. I love to quote Amos 5:24 But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an everflowing stream.

But was supposed to be the lesson? Apparently it didn't occur to us to put all the food back in the pot and insisted it be redistributed fairly? Equal distribution wasn't even an idea.

Honestly I love the Amos lectionary reading (Amos 5:18-24) because I think I'm on the side of the good guys. I'm helping to create God's rule on earth. I am hopeful for the arrival of the Day of the Lord/Kingdom of God.

But that's not exactly what the text says. It says that the arrival of the Day of the Lord will be miserable. That we shouldn't yearn for it, because it will be full of gloom. We want to leave our present distress, but the Day of the Lord brings a metaphorical bear attack and snake bite.

I've always read this that the horribleness is for someone else, for someone who didn't care about justice and righteousness. For the people after the starvathon who didn't share their excess.

Today I am wondering if God is demanding more than giving to others what we ourselves do not need. What if I am not meeting the demands of justice and righteousness. What if the very fact that I have more than I need, means I am exactly who Amos is warning about upcoming judgement? What if I long for God's rule, and yet it is exactly people like me, hoarders of wealth, who are preventing the arrival of equality in God's creation?

As at the starvathon, I have plenty. I'm willing to share what is in excess of what I need, but I'm not returning the money and asking for it to be redistributed more equally.

The other scriptures for Sunday speak to wisdom: its beauty, on our ability to see it, on the planning ahead required. Again, I tend to read myself, and my congregation as the wise ones. Someone else is foolish. But today I'm wondering if I am the fool, and the one doomed by the judgement. I'm wondering if my hoarded savings, and the endowments of my church, are signs that the Day of the Lord will not be good news for me, for us.

What can I do to plan ahead for the coming of God? How can I be part of wise redistribution of my wealth, and of my church's wealth? Fear is what makes me, makes us, hold on tightly. That is foolishness in God's eyes.

What is your church doing with its money. Are you hoarding or sharing? Reply to this email to let me know what's happening. ​
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Sojourner's Magazine reports that faith leaders are preparing for the elections.

What is the Kingdom of God? I have opinions but I'm not sure anyone really knows. Here is a song by Iris DeMent. (2:48)

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