Refuse the Sheep.

So much angst hanging over the Nation as we turn the corner on the way to January 20 and the President-elect's inauguration.  Millions, if the polling is correct, believe the election was stolen.  

Those on BOTH sides of the political spectrum are bitterly charging the other as perpetrating sedition and "an existential threat the Republic and the process of our Democracy,"  each advancing legitimate and compelling narratives for their grievance.

My neighbors, friends, and community--our Nation feels profoundly divided; surly, rude, bombastic, mean-spirited because, indeed, we are.  So much finger-pointing.

Here is the thing, we come by this naturally.  This isn't the first time we've had to face down our darker impulses.  THIS is the REAL existential threat.  We must commit ourselves to growth, personally and collectively.

Refuse the sheep.   

Our government's very structure is designed to hold up under the schemes of those who might seek to subvert it for their own design and power.  We have survived, indeed thrived for 244+ years under the "tom-foolery" of our politicians and their minions.

Our part is to exercise shrewd oversight with our vote and grow as we face new challenges at home and around the planet.  We grow by listening to people who don't see life through the same set of lenses we use to process the world around us--we need people who don't think like us, regardless of which direction we lean from the center; it's amazing how much common ground we can find when we listen.  That growth, leading to effective, decisive oversight of our politicians every two years, is the antidote to whatever might threaten our Republic.

Just imagine people with whom we disagree strongly expanding our understanding, intellect, compassion, and, yes, perhaps most importantly, allowing us to exercise (and grow) the godly discipline of grace.  

America, STILL a remarkable idea.  No plan, no purpose will be left undone.

Liveitwell!