Boy, it sure is noisy out there! Understandably so.The presidential election exposed the fragilities of a drowsy democracy hooked on white enthocracy.
The election of a convicted felon with a trackrecord of corruption, racism, and misogyny to the highest office in the land has left many Americans bewildered. Sadly, many old-timers saw it coming.
In any event, all those who wanted to believe American values include equity, unity, and justice for all right up there with individualism and self-government are singing the chorus to the song recorded by Marvin Gaye song over 50 years ago: "What's going on?"
As the dust settles, and the frighenting implications of the election results sink in, people, including on-air and armchair pundits, are venting, speculating, opining and finger pointing, loudly and all at once.
This overwhelm comes on top of the 24/7 cacophony of propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation that helped clear the way for an unabashed demagogue to run for office in the first place. America is on open Mic. Journalistic standards of mainstream news outlets continue to erode as many of us and our children feed at the trough of social media. The American appetite for celebrity, gossip, and drama is insatiable.
Yes, it's noisy, and growing more bombastic by the day. So much information to digest with zero nutritional value. You don't have to be a history scholar to know tyrants, dictators, and political bullies have always been around.
The history books are filled with their stories. But whoever thought in the age of flying cars, and other inventions and imaginations of advanced technologies, the U.S.A. would opt for a leader who instigated a riot at the Capitol when he lost his last bid to lead the country.
Hatred: Noisy and Naughty by Nature
The Bible, highly recommended reading for Christians, is ladened with epic narratives and enduring lessons of wicked rulers, and the rise and fall of empires. In living memory, the world witnessed how economic insecurity, a fragmented sense of national identity, and fear of the future have twisted people's minds and souls into xenophobcic and racist pretzels.
The world watched in wonder as Adolf Hitler exploited these very same conditions in the Fatherland to launch WWII, Nazism, and his "final solution"campaign.
As a country long identified by its whiteness but home to a wide range of racial, ethinic, and cultural identities, the United States has arrived at a tipping, or perhaps a boiling point.
In any event, a lot of white people are scared as their white identity declines as a numeric majority. In 20 or so years, they will be a minority, according to demographers.
The winning-presidential campaign ran on hate-infused rhetoric and promises to return America to a white-washed mythical utopian past when white rule and dominance were secured by laws and practices that violated human rights and sanctioned crimes against humanity.
The campaign rallying cry, of course, served as a dog whistle to white supremacists, white evangelicals, and anyone else who believes black people, certain immigrants, and other "illegitimate" groups need to be restricted, kept in places of inferiority according to the America's racial hierarchy; and worse, erased. White backlash in the face of multiracial and multiethnic progress is not new.
From Abolition and Restruction to Civil Rights and Affirmative Action, diversity, equity, and inclusion movements have struggled against white opposition at every turn, frequently with violence and extremism. This election offered a glimpse into just how far a majority of white Americans, including white women, are willing to go to protect white ethnocracy. It's chilling, and mind boggling, to consider that such a large swath of white Americans genuinely believe they they are the victims of systemic racism and injustice.
It's further stunning witnessing our neighbors, coworkers, and many otherwise seemingly good people we thought were our friends among the red-capped crowds waving banners and placards with hateful slogans and slurs, and even the Nazi flag.
What is going on indeed? Your answer will be found depending on to whom you listen. But ultimately, only the Lord knows. For believers, our job is to hear his plan and purpose, and the roles and steps we are to take in periods marked by dark clouds and high volumes of noise and thunder.
Silence: Necessary to Plug into Supreme Power
Flouting the fundamental principles and ideas which Jesus called his followers to embrace, white so-called evangelical Chrisitians have given a thumbs up to an "empire" ruler at the expense of many of their own self interests and human decency. Yes, it's noisy. And history tells us it will get nosier. These are perilous times. The battles ahead will be fought on every front. When there is so much to be said and done, it may seem counterintuitive to retreat.
But activists, artists, and spiritual leaders who have served as field generals and foot soldiers on the social justice battlefront forever understand the struggle of equity in America is a marathon, not a sprint. It causes wear and tear on the joints of the mind, body, and soul. Moments of silence can become our greatest ally in chaos and clamor. Stepping back from the fray opens the door to rest and recovery so we may live to fight another day.
As we navigate personal crises, social and political upheavals, and escalating global issues, the need for our own inner peace becomes increasingly important. Below are reminders of some of the benefits of silence and stillness and how these practices can help us hear ourselves and from God, and find refuge, restoration, and revival even in the most dissonant and ostreperous times. (Romans 12:2)
Silence doesn’t mean quitting. It's a wise and humble reponse to the call to submission. We cannot, nor should we try, to control everything. In ministry, cultivating silence creates space to connect with and hear from God. There is a reason throughout the Gospels, Jesus, who was fully human and fully Divine, we find Jesus making solitude and silence priorities during His ministry. He understood the vital importance of staying plugged into the source of Supreme power.
Silence isn't merely about a lack of noise. A two-week silent retreat earlier in my Chrisitan spiritual formation opened my eyes to the transformational power of silence and stillness. It also made me aware of the noise inside my own head. During the retreat, everything was done in community and in silence. Sitting with a group strangers at mealtime everyday in silence at first was awkward. I was unable to relax in the external quietude until, after considerable work, I found the inward peace that enabled me to be at ease with silence even in the company of others. Silence is space that reconnects you with your authentic self and God. It attunes you to your surroundings, allowing you to be fully present and prepared to connect in more meaningful ways with others.
Silence enhances health and emotional well-being. Research suggests spending just 15 minutes in silence can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. In times of anxiety and heightened emotions, cultivating a still environment can serve as a powerful grounding tool. Setting aside 10-15 minutes in the morning or evening to just sit still with yourself is a good way to start building silence into your spiritual practice.
Silence empowers you to release the burden of overthinking. Overthinking tends to be a heavy burden, especially for those who care for and about others. But like a dog chasing its own tail, ever moving but getting nowhere, worrying debilitates humans. Worrying is not the same as problem solving. It's a negative form of meditation. In the wise words of my grandmothers, "If you're going to pray don't worry, and if you're going to worry don't pray." Pray and choose life-giving language and messages such as scriptures in your self-talk.
Engage in scripture reading and journaling. These practices during quiet moments can lighten emotional loads and build greater intimacy with God through the Holy Spirit. Such contemplation and reflection encourages us to honor our feelings in the way God does -- without judgment, transforming pain into strength. Studies show that individuals who journal about their emotions are better able to process them and put things into perspective.
Embracing stillness teaches us the value of acceptance. Accepting our current situation does not mean we give up; it empowers us to face difficulties with a calm heart and clear mind. Building acceptance through silence can enhance our resilience, enabling us to better tackle obstacles that come our way. Silence opens a path to healing and growth, even amidst chaos and confusion.
In the noise today and in the days ahead, let us unite in our commitment to cultivating the spaces we need to care for our souls in the sanctuary of silence.
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