An Election Response

For today’s article I want to share with my readers a letter I emailed to our church membership on Friday the 11th after the election.  I received many comments of appreciation and so thought it might be good to share with a larger audience now two weeks later as some of the dust has settled. I understand that some of you will not agree or appreciate all my sentiments.  I respect that.  I understand that there are many perspectives in an election as contentious and frankly painful as this one.  Ultimately, I’m not as concerned about political unity as I am about the unity of all born-again believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.  I hope this letter will help to that end.  ​

On Tuesday something happened for the first time in American history and we both participated and were witnesses - our country elected a president who has never held political office or served in the military.  Only time will tell whether this was a good thing or not!

Of course many of us believe the election results were very good, not only for who was elected but at least equally so for who wasn't.   

I actually wrestled with the question of whether I would vote or not.  I finally did vote for Trump simply because of what he says he believes (more than what he said he will do - we all know candidates say many things to be elected that they don't or can't do once elected).  For me it came down to voting on the man's stated beliefs about areas of morality, biblical conviction and our Constitution.  I was also thrilled with his vice-presidential choice!

If Mrs. Clinton had won, I was prepared to bring pastoral counsel that we need not fret, become angry or distraught.  She's not the Antichrist and our hope was never in politics to begin with.  Our hope is in the imminent return of Christ!  Like many, I thought she would win in a landslide. 

Now that Mr. Trump has won, the pastoral counsel doesn't really change, does it? Just as she isn’t Antichrist, he isn't the Messiah.  We still need Jesus as much today as before the election.  America still needs revival.  Evil, greed, materialism, drug abuse and violence are still rampant in our land.  In fact I think my fear now is that we might be too elated and expect too much, only to have our hopes dashed.  We could face a greater danger than fear and that being misplaced faith.  Or the temptation that we might become smug and arrogant in our hearts toward the "losing" side.  I understand that many … of us are excited, renewed in our motivation to pray for our president and greatly relieved.  I just want to caution us about putting faith in the arm of the flesh and expecting more from this flawed man and his team than is humanly possible.  My stance is not unbridled joy. My stance is cautious optimism.  

From a Christian mindset ...

• I rejoice that we have a president-elect that promises to stand with Israel.  This lines up with Scripture and of course bodes well for America. 
  
• I rejoice that we have an administration that promises to be pro-life and will be appointing at least one Supreme Court justice, if not several.  As many have said, this was potentially the #1 reason Christians should vote for Trump.  Can or will Roe v. Wade be overturned?  I have no idea, but for the first time in a long time there might be hope.   
  
• I rejoice that our president elect understands national sovereignty and the role of America's military strength in the world. May he use that strength wisely.
  
• I rejoice once again at the wisdom of our founding fathers in the form of government that has been established for the people and by the people.  If nothing else, we learned afresh that voting is a great privilege, that voting matters and that term limits on presidents are a good thing.  A huge block of voters were energized and motivated to push back for the first time in a long time on a left-leaning, socialistic agenda.  How much lost ground can be regained remains to be seen.

So what do we do now?

1. Pray like never before.  Cover this man and his running mate in prayer to God.  Imagine the number of hugely important decisions he must make in the next 70 days.  It's overwhelming to consider. I pray he is truly converted, has wisdom and humility in decisions, seeks counsel of wise men and women and will surround himself with a dream team of at least morally minded individuals with the country's best interest at heart.  
   
2. Love all our neighbors, not just Republicans!  Over 4,000 people in Kerr county voted for Clinton.  Over 50,000,000 across the country.  They all, including her, should be treated and spoken of with respect, with kindness and with love.  
   
3. Continue to make disciples of all nations until Jesus calls us out!  We are still primarily citizens of heaven, we are still pilgrims and we are still not home.  No election can ever change our fundamental identity nor our most pressing priority of making disciples and working with God to build the church until His kingdom come. 
   
4. Rejoice in the Lord always and again, I say rejoice.

​Yours for the King of heaven,
Pastor Chris