unity (noun) -- the state of being of togetherness; an elusive but important thing that wraps itself around and around us, differences and all.

 

 

You guys… this picture says so much.

In this picture are four siblings, raised in the same household by the same parents.  

In this picture are four siblings who voted four different ways in the presidential election.

One voted republican; one democrat; one third party; and one deliberately withheld a vote.

Each of us wrestled with our convictions. We researched the candidates’ positions on everything from economic to social issues. We prayed for God’s guidance in how to exercise the solemn and beautiful right to vote. And on November 3^rd, each of us walked into our respective polling places and cast our votes accordingly.

And—this is the part that really matters—we each voted our conscience, and we each voted differently.

Why does that matter so much?

Well, first of all, it matters because it illustrates how four Jesus-loving, Bible-believing Christians can follow God’s call to different ends… and still be “good” Christians. Our God is way too big and too radical to fit neatly into one political party or the other.

Second, it matters because it proves that disagreements don’t have to mean division. It means we can have conversations that don’t end in “us vs. them”. It means that there can be an end to this season of bitter dissent, of hands over ears and louder and louder voices.

This picture is a step toward healing the ache in my heart, and the rift in our country, because it is a picture of unity.

It’s a picture—one facet—of America the beautiful.