Thin yet beckoning autumn morning light reminds me of the Light which will overcome all the forces of confusion and darkness, as the Evangelist John insists.

Approx. read time: 2:00 min.

Wrapping up coffee downtown with friends, my next errand is to drop off my ballot in the Big White Box outside City Hall.

I unzip my backpack, retrieve the ballot, and … here it goes. The sealed and signed envelope slides down the chute.

I notice that this small yet sacred gesture moves me to utter a solemn thanks for the freedom to cast my vote, yes, for imperfect options, and to take an imperfect stand on imperfect issues, defined by imperfect questions, that will shape an imperfect future.

This is the civic life we are given: Imperfect, fraught with complex issues amid rigged systems and unjust power arrangements that are working just fine for some, though devastating for many.

This word “imperfect” reminds me that somewhere inside I do hold an image of the perfect, the complete, the fulfilled, the just, the connective and kind. My heart tells me that building a world that works for everyone is worthy work.

Jesus lived and preached the same. He bucked the rigged systems and unjust power arrangements so much that he earned the fateful sentence of “outlaw.” But that would be Holy Outlaw, Righteous Outlaw, Prophetic Outlaw.

He chose the outlaw’s walk to crucifixion rather than abandon his sacred mission to build what is worthy and just. He chose Costly Love. He shows us how living with a faithful heart is done.

So, I say: Vote, with all your heart! And then, live with all your heart, with all your soul, mind, and strength, in the cause of all that is worthy and just. This, the Teacher says, is the way you “love the Lord your GOD, and your neighbor, too.”

My civic duty is sacred. And so is yours. We likely see different aspects of “the imperfect.” But every imperfection holds potential to spur us to worthy action—only if we are willing to pay attention and walk the Good Road, together, with courage.

As we vote, await the results, and move forward, let’s hold steadfast to the one enduring sacred and beckoning vision: A world that works for everyone, the world we pray for, daily: “on Earth, as in Heaven.”

Read my book Gospel Vulnerability: The Key to Costly Love. It’s packed with insight, inspiration, and strength for the journey.

Be well. Live in peace. Love one another. And please, share this post!

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