Generously provided by my colleague The Very Rev. Sandye Wilson, Interim Dean
Cathedral of All Saints, St Thomas, VI
Church, I’ve got a word for you today! In the midst of a nation that feels divided, weary, and in need of healing, I want to talk to you about something powerful, something unstoppable—the Joyful Warriors of this year’s USA Presidential campaign! These warriors are not just fighting for a political victory; they’re fighting for justice, for hope, and for the soul of this nation. And let me tell you, “when we fight, we win”.
But what does it mean to fight as Joyful Warriors? How do we engage in this battle in a way that reflects the love and justice of our God? The answer is found in Ephesians 4:25-5:2, where Paul lays out a Rule of Life for believers—a guide for how to live, how to love, and how to fight with joy in our hearts, even in the face of adversity.
Ephesians 4:25 begins, “So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.” Church, the first step in this battle is fighting with truth and integrity. In a world filled with lies, deception, and division, the Joyful Warriors stand firm in truth—God’s truth.
This campaign isn’t just about winning an election; it’s about speaking truth to power, about lifting up the voices of the marginalized, and about standing for what is right, even when it’s unpopular. And when we do this, we bring hope to a nation that is longing for leaders who are real, who are authentic, and who fight with integrity.
Think of the leaders in this campaign who have refused to back down in the face of lies, who have spoken truth with courage, even when it cost them something. These are the Joyful Warriors who inspire us, who remind us that integrity matters, that truth matters—and that when we fight with truth, “we win”.
Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.” Church, there is so much in our nation that makes us angry—racism, injustice, poverty, violence. But God’s Word tells us that there is a way to channel that anger, to turn that pain into power.
The Joyful Warriors of this campaign are not afraid to get angry—not in a way that destroys, but in a way that builds, that heals, that brings about real change. This is righteous anger, anger that fuels the fight for justice, for equality, for the dignity of every human being.
Consider the activists, the community leaders, the everyday people who have turned their anger into action. They are marching in the streets, they are organizing their communities, they are running for office—and they are doing it with joy, because they know that when we fight with righteous anger, “we win”.
Ephesians 4:28 says, “Thieves must give up stealing; rather, let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.” Church, the Joyful Warriors are not just fighting for themselves—they are fighting for all of us. They are fighting for a nation where everyone has a fair shot, where the blessings of this country are shared, where no one is left behind.
This campaign is about more than just policy; it’s about generosity, about creating a society where we lift each other up, where we share our resources, our time, our talents, to build a better future for all Americans.
Think about the grassroots movements that have sprung up across this country—people giving their time, their money, their energy to a cause greater than themselves. These are the Joyful Warriors, and their generosity is changing the landscape of this nation. They remind us that when we fight with open hands and open hearts, “we win”.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” Church, in a time when negative, hateful rhetoric seems to dominate the airwaves, the Joyful Warriors are called to something higher—they are called to speak words of life.
This campaign is not about tearing people down; it’s about building people up. It’s about speaking hope into the despairing, about reminding people that their lives matter, that their voices matter, that their future matters.
Think of the speeches that have moved you to tears, that have lifted your spirit, that have reminded you of what is possible. These are the words of the Joyful Warriors—words that heal, words that inspire, words that bring hope. When we fight with words of life, “we win”.
Finally, Ephesians 5:1-2 calls us to “be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Church, this is the heart of our fight—the love of Christ.
The Joyful Warriors know that this fight is not about hate, not about division, but about love—love for our neighbors, love for our communities, love for our country. And this love is not weak; it is the strongest force in the universe. It is the love that will carry us through the darkest times, that will bring healing to our nation, and that will lead us to victory.
Think of the moments in history when love has triumphed over hate—when the Civil Rights Movement brought down segregation, when love overcame fear in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, when love broke the chains of apartheid. These are the moments when the Joyful Warriors fought in love, and “they won”.
Church, I’m here to tell you today that “when we fight, we win”! When we fight with truth, with righteous anger, with generosity, with words of life, and with love, we cannot be defeated. The Joyful Warriors of this campaign are leading the way, showing us what it means to fight for justice, for hope, for a nation where all are valued, all are heard, all are loved.
So, let us join them in this fight. Let us fight with joy in our hearts, knowing that we are on the side of righteousness, on the side of justice, on the side of God. And let us declare with confidence: “When we fight, we win”!
And let the church say, “Amen!”
