Presidential elections are often challenging for Christians. It can be difficult to know which way to go. A lot of Christians vote Republican due to issues such as Roe vs. Wade and same-sex marriage. I struggle with these issues as I don’t really have a major stake in the ground either way although I do lean pro-choice on both.
This time every four years leads me to question my position. Should I be against pro-choice? Today, as I was reflecting on the results of last night’s election I thought, “I can’t accept Jesus Christ as anyone else’s Lord and Savior on their behalf. They have to do that for themselves. Why should I decide what choices they should and should not be able to make?”
As I reflect further on the election, it is shocking that Donald Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States of America. It is my belief that this win was not because of his policies. It is because of his beliefs. Millions of Americans support Donald Trump because of his beliefs. There were other Republican candidates competing in the primaries with similar positions on policies. There were other candidates who support pro-life and reversing same-sex marriage laws. The hurtful, shocking, discouraging thing is that millions voted for Mr. Trump because they believe in his beliefs. And his beliefs are divisive, exclusive, sexist, and racist.
Two scriptures come to mind:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no Law.…” – Galatians 5:22-23
We should always move in the direction of the Spirit as Christians. We have understanding of the tree by looking at the fruit. Donald Trump does not produce fruit of the Spirit. He produces hate, fear, discord, meanness, harshness, and lack of control.
We are called to live by the Spirit for acts of the flesh include hatred, discord, rivalries, divisions, and factions. Yet as a nation we’ve decided to move away from the Spirit in favor of making our temporary home here on earth “great again.”
The second scripture that comes to mind for me is:
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Mark 8:36
Even if there is a sincere and honest belief that Donald Trump can “make America great again” what does it matter if we have to exchange our very soul for that greatness? What does it matter if we have to exchange love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to be great again? Is that even possible? Is it possible to be great without the fruit of the Spirit? Can we be great without inclusion and oneness?
I don’t have all the answers, but I trust the One who does. I pray for Donald Trump. I pray that he leads our country with respect and dignity and in the direction of the Spirit. I pray that he leads in a way we can be proud of. I pray for Hillary Clinton. I pray for her strength. I pray for her future. I pray for all the seeds she has planted that they fall on good ground. I pray for our country. I pray for my fellow Americans.
God, direct us and protect us. Watch over us. Order our steps. Show us which was to go. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Your will be done.
God Bless America.
