What I’ve learned about the power of faith to repair
what’s broken in our confused and divided nation.
“How do we turn things around in this country?” That’s a question I hear quite often, coming from folks of all ages and points of view. You may have muttered the same words to yourself in recent months.
Why Faith and Unity Matter in Divided Times
To tell the truth, that question doesn’t surprise me at all. There’s no doubt we’re living in challenging and confusing times when people feel adrift, divided and conflicted. So many of us have lost our trust in the institutions and cultural guardrails that for generations might have kept us on a straighter path or turned things around when they strayed. Government, science, education and journalism have all lost so much of our trust.
Worst of all, it seems we’ve lost our faith in faith itself. In the face of political and cultural uncertainty, we’re turning away from the religious organizations and systems of belief that through the ages gave us hope, balance and a sense of belonging. At a time when they might need it most, so many are stepping away from personal religion, discouraged by negative headlines or the perception that faith leaders have become too partisan and divisive.
So, how do we turn things around? I know it’s a question with no easy answer, but that doesn’t stop me from offering one.
Reconnecting With Faith Communities
I firmly believe that turning things around has to start with reconnecting to our faith-based communities – our churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship. These are the safe havens, in every community large or small, that provide strength, comfort, support and a sense of belonging, especially in times of division.
To some, religion today might feel weighed down by judgmental attitudes or old traditions that seem out of step with the real world. That outlook is turning too many away from any reliance on faith.
Real People, Real Change Through Faith and Unit
But here’s what I’ve discovered: faith is the motivating force behind the millions of ordinary people who are out there doing truly extraordinary things, every day and in every community, including yours. Their personal, faith-driven actions – deeds of kindness, generosity and community-building – are most often supported and multiplied by their faith institutions. These are the stories of hope, resilience and transformation that I’ve gathered in my new book, Heaven Help Us.
My answer to our current dilemma, like each story in my book, isn’t about a particular doctrine or rigid adherence to a set of beliefs. It’s about connection, purpose and hope. In every instance of resilience and generosity I write about, I’ve found people driven by faith, supported by their communities and achieving great things in return. Heaven Help Us shines a light on these stories – not just as a source of inspiration, but as a roadmap for what we can accomplish together.
Call to Faith-Driven Leadership
The bottom line is this: we need to rediscover the discipline of listening and understanding if we’re going to address urgent issues of our time. And we need faith leaders who won’t be pulled off course by politics but rather use their role to guide us toward unity and remind us of the values that transcend division.
The Power of Collective Spirit
The stories in Heaven Help Us show us that the collective spirit of faith can achieve what no single person can. When we unlock the creativity, generosity and grit of an entire community, we can transform lives.
Choosing Unity Over Division
As a nation, we need this. We can turn things around by going back to the spirit of faith that has always been our unifying force, the bridge that connects us. We’re better together, and when we work as one, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
By John Kasich
