A Time to Mourn, a Time to Build Up 

Dear John,

Wednesday’s violence was unnecessary, un-American, and deeply damaging to our republic. Hopefully, that’s something everyone can agree on.

The group that stormed the Capitol is not representative of conservatives, or even most of those who attended the rally – not by any stretch of the imagination.

And yes, there are things to say about Georgia and about the electoral college and about our next steps as Christian conservatives. In fact, as all of the chaos began today, I was in the middle of writing you an update about that. We’ll talk about those things soon – for there is much to be said.

But “for everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Today is a time to mourn. To mourn what has been lost, to mourn how this chaos symbolizes our divided and hurting nation, to mourn the brokenness which lies within each of us and which was so brazenly displayed today on the steps of the Capitol.

It’s no secret that Americans are divided on many political topics, and that many factors have contributed to that. But what we witnessed today was not just division. It was a glimpse into the desperation of many in our nation for some kind of answer – an answer that only Christ can give. And it played out in an ugly, deeply grievous way.

So today, we mourn. And perhaps tomorrow we will mourn still. But as Christians, we know that God is ultimately in the business of restoring and remaking broken vessels – and as Christians, we are called to be in that same business of restoration and hope.

The Lord placed two verses on my heart today. First, Family Policy Alliance’s theme verse that many of you know so well: The people, who know their God, shall stand firm and take action. (Daniel 11:32b, emphasis added)

Second, a common verse that can seem trite but is true as ever: If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, emphasis added)

As the Lord brought these verses to mind, I was struck by how we as believers tend to focus so much on the action-oriented parts of the verses. Yet, the first parts of both make clear that before we do anything, we must remember to Whom we belong and Who we represent in our grieving nation. As the country seeks answers, we know we have the only Answer, so we must provide it in love and with the next action steps we take.

So while today is a time to mourn, soon it will be a time to build up, and a time to take action in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

And as we mourn and pray together for our nation, I would like to share five qualities of biblical citizenship that are on my heart this evening:

1. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. At Family Policy Alliance, though we are a ministry actively engaged in policy and politics every day, we believe complete faith in a political leader of any party—or anyone or anything short of Jesus Christ—is idolatry. So with Christ as our anchor, our hope does not fail.
2. We press onward toward the prize of the upward call of Christ. We do not despair at a political loss or claim triumphant victory at a political win. Our calling is much higher than that, even though engaging in our country’s political process is a critical act of love for our neighbors.
3. Our fellow Americans will know we are Christians by our love. We simply can’t afford to tear others down, especially not fellow members of the family of believers. Every person is made in His image and His likeness, so they are worthy of dignity and our love—and the world is watching to see how we treat our fellow Image-bearers.
4. We stand firm on truth, even when it isn’t popular. Truth, especially truth we find in Scripture, cannot change. And love doesn’t mean we stand silent when individuals or groups attempt to hide the truth. This is why we stand for the truth that babies in the womb deserve life and that our sex as male or female is a gift from God—even when those positions are politically and culturally unpopular.
5. We celebrate the First Amendment. Our right to religious freedom, free speech, the freedom to assemble, and the freedom to peacefully protest is critical to the core of America—and to the freedom of the Gospel in our country. We cherish it and fight every day to protect it. But acts of violence tear down that right and give those who seek to suppress those First Amendment freedoms an excuse to do so.

These principles are the fabric of Family Policy Alliance as we pursue a nation where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.

Today, we mourn. But in the days ahead, we rebuild for God’s glory and as citizens worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Will you join us?

Prayerfully,

Craig DeRoche
President and CEO