Even as I type those two names I have to stop, sit back in my chair and take a deep breath. I pray,

Where are we, Lord? How did we get to this place? What is your will? Have we gone too far, have we sinned too greatly, have we drained your mercy to the last drop?

I had turned the television off as the level of anger being expressed in a political panel was getting out of hand. Vitriol is to be expected in election years. I don’t know if it’s more amped-up this time or if we are just more aware of it? Everyone from the Senate and the House to those who work in the House of Pancakes now share their thoughts through social media.

It used to be if you were boiling over with anger at what a candidate said or did or what their platform represented you sat around the dinner table and thrashed it out with your family. Not anymore. Now, in a matter of seconds we can coat the world in venom-infused mud.

The trouble with social media platforms is that, more often than not there’s no relationship there. We don’t know most of the people we follow or who follow us very well. We may know them to smile at if we pass them at church or as we wait to pick our kids up from their soccer game but we don’t have the depth of history and commitment it takes to listen to hard things, to think, to respond rather than react.

I’ve been grieved as I’ve read posts from friends who’ve expressed what they believe on Facebook and then I’ve watched their spiritual autopsies, an absolute character assassination in the comments section.

I’ve also been surprised by things that Christians I respect have posted from completely opposite sides, each using scripture to support their passionately held convictions.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This election is huge. Whichever way it goes it will change the shape of our nation. The dividing issues could not be more important. But that’s not what’s on my heart today. What is weighing me down began with a flippant question yesterday as I waited in line for my coffee.

The couple in front of me was arguing about the mess our nation is in. I wasn’t paying much attention until the volume went up several notches. The bottom line was, he blamed Hillary for things Hillary did or had left undone, and she lambasted Donald for his track record.

In a moment of mutual frustration they turned to me and asked, “So who do you blame for this mess?”

I stood for a moment, silenced by the weight of those eight words and then I said, “Me. I blame me.”

He looked confused, she laughed … they grabbed their coffees and left. I picked up my skinny latte and sat in the corner of the store for a while. I was overwhelmed with conviction.

Have I lived out what I believe every moment of every day? Have I wept on my knees for this nation?

Have I interceded for our leaders whether I like them or not? Have I shared the life and love of Christ with those around me?

Have I lived in such a way that those who don’t know Christ would want to ask me to explain the reason for the hope I have?

I believe if anyone can be held responsible for the mess our nation is in it’s us — The Church.

Christ’s final prayer for us is that we would be one. It’s not looking good. In many ways we are a splintered, bloody mess.

Would you pause a moment before you message me about what God is doing through your church. I know that in many cities and towns across our country the Church is strong and living the love of Jesus Christ out loud with mercy and compassion. I just want us to weigh our words before we send them out into the virtual world. Words are powerful. They can wound and they can heal. We are a nation that needs healing.

So today I’m praying for us. I’m asking God to show us how to live in these days so that, although we may differ about things that really matter, we will still be salt where decay threatens to set in and God-light into the very darkest corners.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35 RSV)