It makes sense that Halloween leads into election day… We are all a little afraid.

In reality Halloween is connected to November first – All Saints Day. A saint is holy and hallow means holy, so Halloween began as All Hallows Eve. All Saints Day remembers and celebrates the saints who have entered grace. As their souls rise into the arms of Jesus, people imagined these spirits gathering the night before… Not really good theology, but it did produce a fun candy filled evening!

Politics have never been easy to navigate as a Pastor. But the past two elections made gaps into canyons. The other side was not just different ideas, but the enemy. I felt this in the church. My weekly messages were pigeon holed into right or left. Meetings followed where I pointed to the scripture, but found myself condemned by another truth. Through that lens my commitment to Jesus was questioned. Each week I felt the church splitting, but I strove to hold it tougher. Until covid arrived. Then the divide became permanent.

Today Chandler is smaller, but more unified (if not in politics, in our commitment to our community). Yet, as another election nears, I find myself worrying what the next four years will bring. I find myself afraid.

Last night we lit our jack-o-lanterns and went trick or treating. I was the Death Star following a mini Vader, Rey, and Leia (No, I was not pregnant with a robot 😉 ). The neighborhood was full of families. Nearly every home was handing out candy. One family was even giving out fresh grilled hot dogs. Multiple neighbors offered adult beverages (I didn’t take any, but if someone took all of them… )

Amidst the spiders and ghostly decoration there were also Trump and Kamala signs. But no one checked party affliction before accepting candy.

God has opinions on our politics. But in the mass of people last night His main concern was not our vote. His perspective is bigger than our nation. His desire lasts beyond this year’s election. Through His eyes the crowd was not blue or red. It was not enemies and friends. But in everyone He saw a child. All of us in need of a Father.

This is this the politics of God. He is building a Kingdom which I suspect looks a lot like Halloween. So many different people together in joy and sharing. All with the knowledge that tomorrow we rise as Saints.

This does not relieve all of my fears — I am still a child, who must run to the Father! But it does remind me of my purpose. So I pray for the election. I will pray for issues and candidates. But all the more I will pray for salvation. That this nation, this world, will declare Jesus is Lord. God is King. That all people will know His name is Hallowed.