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A House Divided Is Not A Happy Place To Live

by Eric Elkin

“And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”

— Mark 3:25

The status of the election Wednesday morning was the result I most feared. Beyond which candidate was elected, I was a concerned about how the winning candidate was determined. Viewed through this lens, Tuesday night was a worst-case scenario.

I was hoping for a decisive result. A clear-cut victory would let us know where we stand as a nation. Some may not be happy, but at least there would be some level of unity. As of Thursday morning, Biden led the popular vote. Four states are still undecided. The difference in total votes in these states is razor-thin. Looking at the election, for all practical purposes, it was a 50/50 divide.

We are a house divided. Our division is very deep and distinct. A point made clear by the election results Tuesday night. Every single state, regardless of its red or blue status, revealed the nature of our split. Almost every rural community went for President Trump. The urban areas tended to support challenger, Joe Biden.

As you ponder this division, I want you to think of the voices dwelling in these communities. I’m sure if Biden wins the popular vote but loses the electoral college there will be a call to end this system. If it ends, and we go with the popular vote only, will rural America loose its voice? Consider the voices of Democrats living in rural areas. Or Republicans living in urban areas. Are their voices heard? If people do not feel heard, how will we ever mend our division?

“We shall not fail — if we stand firm, we shall not fail. Wise councils may accelerate or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later the victory is sure to come.”

— Abraham Lincoln

The decision to remain divided is ours. No president, regardless of who is elected, has the power to heal a nation. Abraham Lincoln referenced Mark 3:25 in one of the greatest speeches in U.S. history. Yet, not even his beautiful words and tireless work could unify a divided nation.

The work of healing a nation will not happen in Washington D.C., regardless of who is elected president. That work needs to be done in local communities. It needs to happen between neighbors. Neighbors who understand, for their own health and safety, they need the person living next door to be well. An urban community cannot thrive without the support of a rural community, and vice versa.

A person works for unity by considering how they speak to their neighbor. Are you respectfully challenging your neighbor or condemning them? When your neighbor is speaking, are you listening to their words or just waiting for the chance to speak? Do you see your neighbor in the best possible light? Or, are you bearing false witness against them? Can you say to your neighbors face the things you say about them behind their backs?

We live in a house divided, and I want to move. I do not want to move to Canada or leave the people I live with behind. I want to move away from this division. There is a better home to live in. A place where the garbage gets taken out and dirty dishes get washed. I want to move to this new house, and I want you to move with me.

Click to read Mark 3: 23-30