In 1989, Lenny Kravitz release the song “Let Love Rule”. In the song, Kravitz sings, “Love is gentle as a rose; and love can conquer any war; It’s time to take a stand; Brothers and sisters join hands; We got to let love rule!”

If you aren’t familiar with that one, maybe you know the old chorus written by Catholic priest Peter Scholtes, “We are One in the Spirit (They’ll Know We are Christians)”. The lyrics proclaim, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

I believe these two songs offer words that should be our guide in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Many of us are currently concerned and anxious about Tuesday’s elections. There will be some who are thrilled by the results of the election. There are some who will be deeply troubled by the results of the election.

Regardless of how we feel about the results of the elections, we need to remember that our hope is not found in a politician or political party. Our hope is not found in the Supreme Court.

Our hope is in Jesus Christ!

With Jesus as our hope, the words of Kravitz and Scholtes should be our guide after the results of the election are announced. We need to “let love rule” in our lives. We need to “let love rule” in our interactions with those around us. We need to remember that the world is paying attention to how we treat one another. Therefore, we should “let love rule” so that “they will know we are Christians by our love.”

Regardless of how we vote, the way we treat one another will speak volumes. Though we may not vote the same, we can be united in the way we love. We can all be kind, caring, compassionate, loving, gracious and civil.

In his journal, John Wesley offered these words of wisdom to those voting, “I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them:
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”

So, will you join me in striving to “let love rule”?