Q4. How do I handle the day after the vote

Imagine the day after the vote.  You are sipping your coffee as you are digesting the outcome of the vote.  Consider the scenarios based on how many voted for disaffiliation:

  1. >66%       - we leave UMC;  imagine the pain of the progressives
  2. 55%-65% - we remain UMC;  imagine the pain of traditionalist/progressives
  3. 45%-54% - we remain UMC;  imagine the pain of traditionalist/progressives
  4.        <45   - we remain UMC ; imagine the pain of traditionalist
The key is that THE VOTE will harm us all - regardless of the outcome.  All outcomes are LOSE-LOSE scenarios - harm is done to our brothers and sisters.    Because if you do not feel the pain of our brothers and sisters the day after - woe to pride and self-righteousness.   Be prepared, for God is watching. 

Let this sink in.... 

If I were King for a day I would put a stop to any vote and seek God's guidance for another way.  Not to choose UMC but too choose the path of God.   There are SO MANY options for us to reconcile the harm of these past 9 months and to find ways to truly honor/celebrate each other - not just staying together. 

I weight the pain of a few who would disagree with the outcome; to the real pain across our community (drugs, financial distress, mental stresses, youth suicide,  abuse of orphans in our society, etc...).   There must be a more Godly way!

I pray Lord, please stop the hurt, stop the vote.   Help us embrace and celebrate out differences.   Put us on the path that puts the focus on where you need us.

Above all else we pray our words bring glory to God and love to our community.   Let no words on this blog burden anyone's beliefs.  Finally, we pray God's Will be done by each of us voting their conscience.

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