The 2024 election is upon us. The American people will elect the president and vice president, the 119th Congress, and thousands of state and local elected officials. And while we see high political engagement by some, many Americans have a profound lack of trust in our institutions. According to Gallup, 57% of Americans have “very little” trust in Congress. Likewise, 48% of Americans express minimal confidence in the Presidency. However, progress is possible. In the last 6 years, laws have been passed that make record investments in climate change mitigation, reform sentencing and prisons, and more Americans than ever have health insurance.
Despite our collective progress, we are increasingly realizing that the democratic institutions we hold dear, are more fragile than we imagined, even as they show signs of resilience. A global backdrop of global conflicts and human rights abuses makes the project of democracy seem more urgent than ever. With more immediate access to information from around the world, combined with efforts of disinformation meant to sew division, it is easy to despair about the state of the world and to believe that you are powerless to change it. We must resist this sentiment, particularly during an election season, and instead lean into our commitment to engage in our political life together.
While it is true that the efforts of an individual can feel insignificant, we must remember that our actions, our lives, our callings, our votes can make a difference. We cannot give in to despair and despondence. We must vote faithfully and do good work in our communities. Keep volunteering in soup kitchens and food pantries, training for disaster response and recovery, volunteering for and supporting political processes focused on pertinent issues, and donating money to organizations working to decrease suffering across the planet.
In moments when I despair at the state of the world, I remember my experiences volunteering at the food pantry of my home parish in Richmond, Virginia – hours spent in relationship with others taking small actions to help those in need. Much the same as voting and engaging in advocacy (or holding elected officials accountable), all small steps we can each take to transform the lives of others.
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors, and to continue to ask for God’s will to be done in and through us. We must continue to do the good work we are called to do, even when the project feels insurmountable. To be fully engaged citizens we are asked to remain steadfast in building a world of justice and peace even if we have yet to see the fruits of our labor. Together, we have proven time and time again that progress is possible, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. It is a comforting thought to know that the future is in God’s hands. One day, we will all be reunited with our Lord and Savior. When it is my turn, I hope to lay before him what works I could do, to show him I was engaged in spite of the suffering of humanity. I hope to show that I did not simply disengage and that I did not write this world off as irredeemable. I hope you do the same.
Marcus Lewis, Advocacy Intern