The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
As we celebrate his birthday, these powerful words of Martin Luther King, Jr. seem more relevant today than at any moment in my lifetime.
As this week when Donald Trump will be inaugurated President of the United States begins, I feel like I am living in a foreign land now ruled by people whose values and commitments I not only don’t share, but make me feel like an enemy.
Trump Republicans have made it clear that they don’t like me and people like me. They have no desire to work with me or us, to try to find common ground on anything.
They see me and people like me as the cause of everything they believe is wrong with America, so they want to drive us out, if not literally, then certainly in terms of political power. I honestly believe they would put me and everyone like me in jail if they thought they could get away with it.
I am reminded of the Psalmist’s words, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and there we wept…and our captors asked us for songs…[but] how can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land” (137).
Indeed, how can anyone sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land, real or imagined?
Trump people are not simply members of the opposing political party. They are people I don’t trust any more than they trust me. I see and hear their hatred and divisiveness, their “us verses them” attitude, their fake patriotism and their Americanized faith, and I know with certainty that I do not share anything in common with them.
We live in the same land in name only. The America they believe in and the America I believe in are not the same. We are a divided people who no longer share common values and common commitments.
What, then, am I to do, we to do? Those of us who know the Lord’s song of equality and justice for all, how can we sing that in the America of today?
I don’t know the answer to that question, but as I have thought about these things I was driven to something Jesus said that clearly speaks to the situation all of us not Trump Republicans face: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
To be honest, I wish he had never said that, but he did, and because I take him seriously I cannot ignore it. The question I face as one feeling like a stranger in a foreign land is whether or not I am who I say I am.
I would be less than truthful if I said I am, but I have not given up on wanting to be. That is why these words about unconditional love have gotten my attention. Because of the way I feel about what has happened to our country, what would it mean to try to practice loving my “enemies.”
Here is what I think his words mean practically.
(1) Not being vengeful. Some people say they will treat Trump the way he and his supporters treated President Obama. I want to do that, but it would contradict the claim doing love makes on me.
(2) Not becoming like the enemies I feel like I am facing. I don’t want to have the kind of mind, heart, and soul I believe Trump Republicans have. Our nation needs fewer of them, not more.
(3) Standing firm without anger. Anger is something I feel a lot, but if I am not careful it will get in the way of taking a stand for what is right, just, and loving. If my anger controls me, love has no chance to be seen or heard.
(4) Choosing reason over emotions. When talking to Trump Republicans, emotions can easily get the best of me. Unless I choose to allow reason to guide my responses to them, I will lose the argument no matter what I say.
(5) Holding my enemies accountable. Love demands that I call them out and challenge any unfounded claims they make. Refusing to speak and act is to betray the demands of love.
(6) Never give up on the power of truth. I feel like I am living in a nation that no longer values knowledge, but exalts the lack thereof. It is a dangerous path to follow. As Dr. King also noted: Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Both exist in abundance today, and it can be discouraging. But doing love demands that I never give up believing in the power of truth.
(7) Remembering that this conflict is about me as much as it is about my enemies. My responses will, as Dr. King said, reveal as much about my character as their actions reveal about theirs.
(8) Nurturing a right spirit in me. Personal prayer, meditation, and the practice of silence are ways I can nurture a right spirit in me that will help me do love.
(9) Praying for my enemies. This is the worst part of what Jesus said. Yet I know conditional love with various kinds of boundaries is pseudo-love and not what he was talking about. I am not sure how to pray for them, but I am willing to trust that the way will become clear if I try.
These ways to practice living by the ethic of love are not easy, of course, but Dr. King also said something in a sermon that makes me believe they represent the right road, less travelled as it may be: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
The ethic of love is to choose light over darkness. So that is the choice I am making, even though I feel like I am having do so as a stranger in my own land.
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This is a remarkable, heartfelt, and thoughtful post, Jan. Thank you! As tough are your words are, I’m committed to TRY and live them. No guarantees though, I’m not sure I’m that strong.
We’re in the same boat, Rollie, so we can help each other.
I walked around the White House today, Trump Hotel, palatial viewing stands, endless security fencing. I was quieted and prayerful…smiling at the minority construction workers preparing ( albeit regretfully) for the HUGE event.
I felt a closeness to them that took my attention. Not quite at the place of loving the Trump folk but working my way there. ….ever so slowly. Hard to live in the belly of the beast.
Dixcy, I am not trying to love them, only to manifest loving behavior as I articulated. Loving them is a bridge too far for me at the moment.
Thank you, Jan. This is very moving post; Doubt I will get there. I do think a little righteous anger can motivate us to do great things.
It’s a struggle for all of us, Kay. You are not alone in yours.
Jan, thanksfor this. I truly needed it. I am not really filled or even half full of anger, rather more feeling despair for the coming months.. I say “months” because I fell a strong , increasing sense, that this can not continue because, following recent trends and event to a logical conclusion, my own sense of logic, at least, it seems to me the incoming president will be impeached, or will resign, in some version of his method of doing so before the end of his first term. That, hoever, gives me little comfort: can you say “President Pence” with comfort and relief?
Cheerz!
Pence could be worse, Gene, but he appears sane enough that he doesn’t scare me like Trump does. Trump would resign before being impeached, but God only knows what he would do to the country and world before he did. A frightening scenario any way we go.
Jan, I appreciate all of your letters. This one really helps.
Gene, I hope that your thought that DT will resign or be impeached will come true (other than the resulting elevation of Pence), but I seriously doubt that it will. DT’s massive ego will not let him resign, and disagreeing with or disliking a president are not grounds for impeachment. For me, I will not accept DT as our President, unless he proves that he can be one, rather than a dictator. I think the next four years are going to be pretty hairy. I hope the voters will not repeat their mistake in 2020.
Wally, I hope we make it to 2020. And I’m serious!
Thank you, Jan. This is an excellent post. It makes clear that our faith calls us to do the hardest work of all, demonstrating love when we feel surrounded by hate, and I do believe that the responses you commend from the words of the Christian faith as held up by Dr. Martin Luther King hold out the possibility for a better future eventually. Jane Asche
Thank you, Jane. I often write better than I do, but I do truly believe the way we respond to these difficult times will help shape the direction our country takes.