I received a t-shirt for Christmas. Actually, I asked for it. I knew I wanted it right after the election. It’s a dark blue t-shirt with the word, “RESIST” written boldly in white. I might wear it when I go into Austin sometime. But will I have the same courage if I’m headed to Home Depot? It got me thinking, What am I resisting? and How should I resist? The Bible tells me to “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). As Christians, there are many things we ought to resist. Generally, the subject of our resistance is evil.
I also have the conviction that I shouldn’t separate my political convictions from my Christian ones. Not that every matter has the same importance, but I can’t pretend to believe in justice in the Bible, but not work for justice in the world in which I live.
The word 'resist' for me conjures up 60s protest marches, signs, and maybe I should wear bell-bottoms? I’m not ruling out marching in a protest in the next four years. But maybe there’s something more I can do. If I am to resist evil, abuse, lies, and inhumane treatment of the weakest around me, the answer to my question is to oppose these things with love, gentleness, and truth. I cannot, as many Trump followers choose to, pretend things like immigrants eating cats and dogs, elections being stolen, and schools turning boys into girls are real.
It’s been four years since the climax of the lies of a stolen election ended with an attack on our nation's capital on January 6.
Some are trying to rewrite history and pretend it didn’t happen, or that it wasn’t as serious as it’s been reported. And so, my resistance comes in the form of me fighting everything I fear a Trump administration attempting to normalize: lies, dehumanization of others, and a naked grasping for power.
I believe resistance comes in the form of speaking truth to evil, kindness toward my enemies, and not putting my faith in the power of government.
By certifying the election today, Kamala Harris stood against the lies, the chaos, and the power grab of Donald Trump. She stood against evil by standing up for reality, order, and the will of the people. By certifying the election on the four year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, she draws a stark contrast by resisting the destructive pretend world of the MAGA movement.
This Thursday is President Jimmy Carter’s Washington funeral. I can think of no better example of resistance than his decades-long quest for human rights by helping eradicate disease, house the homeless, and create peace.
And so I resist, by asking someone I disagree with, “Tell me how you see it?”
I resist, by appreciating anything positive that the next administration might do.
I resist by calling out evil, even when it’s “my people.”
I resist by loving my neighbor.
May our resistance the next four years be an overwhelming flood of truth, love, and suffocating kindness.
Meanwhile, I’ll be summoning my courage to wear my t-shirt to Home Depot.
“Suffocating kindness” reminds me of the equivalent to ‘heaping hot coals on the head of our “enemies”’ since it meant providing much needed warmth to those facing the cold. I think fear of others, the unknown, the “foreigner” equates to living in a coldness that needs the warmth of kindness to be abolished. The “soul force” that MLK referred to. Thanks for this important reminder to not repay coldness with more coldness. Appreciate you Jonathan.