I’ve been holding my breath for months, waiting on the world to change. But that’s so unlike me. I’m usually that crazy crusader for taking personal responsibility in order to make a difference. So here’s the reality—the world has ALREADY changed, permanently. I can choose my reaction.

My change. My choice.

Everything will be different going forward. We can’t just pick up where we left off. Adaptation is key, so we can either act like victims or hitch up our britches and face it all.

Lean in or lean out.

At least that’s what I’m trying to do, because waiting on the world to change is a big gamble. We’ll have to see how the election turns out and move forward accordingly and intentionally, no matter who wins. The election isn’t the end-all. We’ll need to take personal responsibility for doing new things, like reaching across the aisle politically, racially, and even in giving and receiving help. If we’re churchgoing folk, we’ll need to face the divide and move forward accordingly (and intentionally), because one side is politically-aligned and the rest of us are scratching our heads, wondering how people can see Jesus so differently. German churches faced the same challenge in the 30’s.

So at the risk of being labeled a Pollyanna (minus the pigtails), I’m hopeful.

I’m hopeful a new level of depth is coming within the Church.
I’m hopeful we can view the negatives of our recent past as fuel for change.
I’m hopeful that change is gonna do us good.           

The actress Uzo Aduba said this. “I believe in change. I believe in the power it has to unite us and ignite us.” 

I like that. May it be so.