November 5, 2008

Time for unity

The elections are over. After years of campaigning, it’s done. Victory, this time, seems clear. A new president has been chosen. Your candidate may have won or your candidate may have lost. Today you may be rejoicing or today you may be mourning. I encourage you to take the time to rejoice or to mourn. … And then let's all take a breath, straighten our shoulders and reach out to one another – because it’s time now for unity.

As a nation we too often and too easily fall into opposing sides; “us” and “them” rhetoric. For the sake of not just our nation or our children, but also for the sake of our world it’s time to stop. It’s time to reach out to one another. It’s time to listen to each other, really listen – not just try to make our point, but seek to understand the other person’s view. Together we can do amazing and wonderful things. Together we can solve the greatest challenges facing us.

It will take all of us together to bring healing to our land, to God’s world. It is what God continues to call us to do. None of us holds the Truth, but all of us together when our hearts are connected to God hold a portion of God’s truth. And when we reach out to one another, seek to understand each other, do our best to work together toward peace and prosperity for all – we share our truth with each other. And that is when we find healing. And that is when we find we are at our strongest.

The energy that you put into impassioned conversations – put that same energy into working for unity. Not my way, not your way – but our way will become the way to healing and growth for our nation and, ultimately, for our world. So I encourage you to reach out, take someone’s hand – then spend time listening to them. Let's move forward - together.

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