Words for These Times

The election looms; the tension mounts; the vitriol spews;
minds are racing; spirits churning; teary eyes burning;
hearts are gripped by fear of what may be around the corner;
and faithful souls ask,
What shall I do?
what shall I say?

Old friends part ways; the social fabric frays;
"the common good” is but an abandoned phrase.
Distrust mounts; eyes close; ears shrivel, unused;
and weary souls wonder,
What can I do?
What could I say?

The deadly virus spikes; warnings are ignored;
rage and anger roar; fires burn; nature storms.
Quietly kindness winds its way through it all
inspiring us to ask,
What will I do?
What will I say?

Here, the Apostle speaks
with answers drawn from the storehouse of faith;
none of them easy; most of them hard;
all of them necessary
if we’re to do and say
all that is God’s Way.

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in the spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless t hose who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;
do not claim to be wise than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Romans 12. 9-18

New Revised Standard Version of the Bible