Emanating Hope

Dear Friends,

On most mornings when we take the dogs for their early walk along the beach, Bryna and I marvel at the sunrise. It is always unique, always ephemeral, always holy. We were both very aware of the date — September 11 — as we set out in darkness with the dogs.

And as the sun broke forth over the horizon, we witnessed something I’ve never seen before — the sun’s rays emanating outward from the sky in such a captivating way. I was immediately reminded of the beams of light that shine upward from the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan. And I was filled with hope.

Yesterday, we witnessed the shocking murder of a 31-year-old political commentator in Utah, and also heard news of a school shooting in Colorado. Today we remember those who died on September 11, 2001.

The heaviness of grief hovers over us all. Hope feels elusive amid the violence and division that subsumes our lives.

As Christians, we are not strangers to political violence. Our Savior was executed for being a threat to the political powers-that-be. Yet we must condemn political violence in all its forms: murder, of course; but also violent rhetoric and the dehumanization of others. None of this is way of Jesus, none of this is the way of love. 

Each one of us has the power to enact changes in the ways we interact with those who disagree with us. We are not enemies. We are fellow children of a God who loves us all. 

The good news of our faith — the power of the cross — is that violence and hatred do not get the last word. Love is stronger than hate; life is stronger than death. 

So we grieve, we pray, we lament. And we look toward the horizon, trusting that God’s love will prevail in our nation and in our world.

Peace,
Tim+

Photo Credit: Phil Metlin