Position Piece: A statement that outlines a position on a debatable issue.

Persuasive Piece: A work written that tries to convince the reader of the writer’s opinion.

Instructions to the reader: The following is a position piece. The reader is encouraged to consider the position as a way to understand better and appreciate the writer. To fully appreciate the piece, it is suggested that the reader refrain from attempts to argue the position presented.

First: what I believe, my creed.

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to us fully in the flesh to reveal God’s glory, love, and mercy by choosing to die for our redemption.

I believe that Jesus is who he says he is; that he died and rose again after three days, revealing himself to the women at the tomb and charging them with spreading the news of this miracle.

I believe that God doesn’t need us, but we do need Him.

I believe that my greatest duty as a Christian is to share God’s extravagant love with all whom I encounter.

Nearly 30 years ago, I was challenged to write my Personal Mission Statement. On a 3 x 5 notecard, I wrote the words: “To know, love and serve God; to know, love and serve his people.” I have come back to this little phrase over and over again in my life, at every stage, and in every situation. I believe that having simple, clear guiding principles in one’s life helps us find peace and find our ‘true north’ in times of confusion. This phrase has been that ever-present guide for me, in choosing a career, in philanthropy, in relationships, and in religion. And now, in politics.

How do I ‘know, love, and serve God and all of his people’ in this realm? It is through this lens that I consider each of the major topics before us today. The economy, immigration, healthcare, foreign affairs, education, the environment, firearms, the death penalty, and more. Does my stated position honor God? Does it express His love?

I choose not to believe the lies that are told to try to make me fear those who are seeking hope and freedom. I do not fear the immigrant. Where there is fear, I push back with love, tenderness, and generosity. I will give my resources to house, feed, and comfort those who have left their homeland because leaving all they know feels safer than staying. I choose to see each immigrant as a human made in the imago dei. I choose to know their name, their family, their story, for it is hard to hate up close.

God doesn’t need America to be a Christian nation. God needs Christians in America to reveal him by demonstrating his extravagant love. Taking America for God is a dangerous and blasphemous use of his name. Christians seeking power in the name of God will always end poorly. (Source: any credible world history book)

I choose to understand that love and mercy require us to not “take sides”, but to get comfortable living in the gray zone. The War in Israel/Gaza? I am angered by the gruesome attack on Israelis on October 7 and I am also heartbroken by the loss of innocent life in Gaza in response. Abortion? Women in positions I can never relate to need to have access to healthcare that they feel comfortable receiving. By humbling myself to know the stories of women seeking care that I have never had to seek, I show love. Firearms? There can be a way to safely allow Americans to own guns for sport and recreation while also tempering unfettered access to firearms which has made us the only developed nation in the world where the number one cause of death for children is firearms. To know the perspective of everyone is an expression of love.

I think about the horrors of Nazi Germany: Would I be the Jan and Miep Gies? Or would I be the silent majority of millions of Germans who chose to follow power instead of love? I will be Jan and Miep. I will choose to know, love, and serve those who are marginalized and threatened…immigrants, women, LGBTQ+, minorities. I will never regret choosing love, but I will always regret choosing fear, hatred, and power.

I am going on the record, leaving my open diary, to hold me accountable and encourage any others: I will know, love, and serve God by knowing, loving, and serving his people. I will choose love to conquer fear and hatred. I will serve God by serving his people, all people, with compassion, curiosity, and tenderness, not power and authority.

Disclaimer: My viewpoints are not necessarily reflective of my employer, or any local, regional or national organization that I belong to. As a matter of fact, I pretty much just speak for myself. Please keep that in mind.