Michael Wear’s book, The Spirit of Our Politics, was a book we used in a book group at our church right up to the election. When the book moved from theory (what is wrong with our politics) to the practical (spiritual disciplines can help us be better in this world), we faltered.

Wear would point out that one big idol in our culture is to separate ourselves from those we disagree with. Create echo chambers. Just avoid being with people who hold views we just simply can’t stand. The spiritual discipline to counter that was fellowship. Intentionally put yourself in the presence of someone with a differing opinion. There isn’t a need to be their best friend. But be present with people of differing views.

That’s a tough thing. No one wants to do that. Progressives, Trump voters, no one. Plus, we don’t have to. The great Social Media “purges” are taking place right now where those who lost don’t want anyone telling them anything. And those who won… same thing. In the midst of that, the people of God should be different.

Another one is what we need right now: When we want to “moralize” we need confession. To moralize it to view the other opinion are particularly sinful.

The post mortem on the election from the side that lost is turning quickly to blame. And more disdain for people who voted to return a man to the highest office in the land who is a known entity that causes chaos.

What we don’t do well is self examination.

This is why this David Brooks piece is so compelling to me. (And, the one that will draw the most negative comments on his author page.)

Brooks looks at himself. When it is easy to moralize… he confesses his own faults. This is precisely where Christians should lead the way. Instead, we’ll have the massive numbers of white evangelicals who voted for Trump dancing on the heads of “the losers” and declaring “God’s victory” and Christians who voted for Harris (or third party out of their own conscience) blame the white evangelicals for being so false in their piety.

Brooks says this:

The rest of us need to look at this result with humility. American voters are not always wise, but they are generally sensible, and they have something to teach us. 

It is incredibly tempting to moralize this thought and walk away. Yet… that is not what is needed from the Body of Christ right now.

We, as believers, need a sober view of life that is ahead, no matter who we voted for. But we need to quit moralizing our choices which affords us disdain for those who didn’t vote like us. For Trump. For Harris. For third party. Friends… sober up.

We need humility. We need the discipline of confession. There are lessons to learn here. Instead of my own moralization of “How could someone vote like that!” I need to search my own heart. These are sober days ahead. I will dive more deeply into what is needed to keep my marginalized neighbor safe and healthy. Sure. But I will also walk in more times of confession so I don’t drift into moralization. That will only poison my own well.

Please read the Brooks piece. Please read Michael Wear’s book.

Then, grab a couple of people and ask them to go on a journey with you to learn these disciplines and ask the Lord for what we humbly need to do in the days ahead.