Today and tomorrow as the country observes Veterans Day, my mind goes to my brother Ezra, members of the church I serve, and others I know who have given military service. It is a grave thing to be empowered with deadly force that one might be called on to use against other human lives. Even in situations where morality would justify limited violence to defend human rights, entering armed conflict means accepting spiritual jeopardy on behalf of civilians and the values of one’s country. Images from Gaza and Ukraine show us all the awfulness of war, especially its consequences to noncombatants and God’s creation. These scenes echo what many of America’s veterans have experienced or caused. The Americans we honor with this holiday carry such grievous memories within their souls. Often, their bodies and minds bear the scars of military service as well. I’m grateful for the service of military chaplains who accompany veterans in the lifelong burden-bearing that’s asked of them on the other side of military service.

On Wednesday morning, my husband Javen hit a pothole while commuting on his bike, went over the handlebars, and broke his arm. We’ve been through urgent care, the emergency room, in-patient proceedings, surgery yesterday, and now await his discharge from Abbott Northwestern hospital. It could have been much worse. We count ourselves fortunate to have the insurance, family, work support, and leave benefits that are making this process go more smoothly. At the same time, it’s startling how quickly an accident can take away physical abilities and rearrange urgent priorities. Youth and good fortune generally keep this reality from the foreground of my thoughts.

O God of wisdom, your light blesses creation throughout this land of sky-tinted waters. As our elected representatives gather to conduct the people’s business of this day, bring to our imaginations every sacred part and person of this state—north to south, east to west, metro and greater Minnesota—all illumined by your light. Let the North Star of truth be revealed in the work of these leaders and their staff today.

I almost never watch broadcast or cable TV, so I’m missing out on a slew of political advertisements. (Pity me!) It’s to be expected this time of year, but folks in our community who live in the suburbs especially are suffering from candidate attack ads on repeat. This is the consequence of an election finance system with almost no guardrails and plenty of incentive to tell lies loudly and often enough for smears to stick. It also corrodes our trust in the democratic process, by which people—all equally made in God’s image—ought to freely, fairly, and truthfully decide how we are governed.

Our systems of democracy are the basis of a free and open society. If we allow people to damage or destroy them, we risk being pulled around by a fear-based agenda rather than building a beloved community that includes everyone. God has not given us a spirit of fear, Scripture says, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Standing together against fear and division, supporting efforts to build up the common good, we can continue building a multiracial democracy that reflects divine creativity and works for everyone who calls Minnesota home.

I can’t turn off your TV for you, or do an exorcism to cleanse it, but I’ve learned at least one way to stop getting political mailers and phone calls. Those who vote early show up in election databases as having already voted, so campaigns don’t spend resources trying to reach you when they see that. You might consider voting early to turn down the volume on partisan messaging that’s flooding us right now. Whenever you vote, I ask you to choose faith over fear, and to remember Jesus’ call to love neighbors, strangers, and even enemies.