Election 2016

In Matthew 7:12, our Lord says, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  This is so important following the election results…from everyone.  President Trump has invited us to come together.  He offered some very kind words toward Mrs. Clinton thereby indicating that his rhetoric during the campaign was just that.  Secretary Clinton urged her supporters that they owe Mr. Trump an open mind.  These are good reminders, and I hope, more than just political speech.  Our population is divided in half between those who are pleased with the results and those who are disappointed.  How would you wish to be treated if you were on the other side?

            Today, I read posts from Trump supporters criticizing Clinton supporters who are protesting, even though Trump himself indicated that he would have protested had he lost.  On the other hand, Clinton supporters who criticized Trump for his willingness to only support the results if he won, are now declaring, “Not my president.”  That is not how our government works.  I would hope that believers would demonstrate compassionate understanding toward those who voted differently. 

The Trump supporters should be pleased.  It was unlikely that Mr. Trump would win.  His supporters believe deeply in many of the issues raised by Trump and long to see conservative ideals directing our nation.  Let them celebrate.  “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” Clinton supporters are deeply saddened.  The loss was a total surprise and they either supported a more progressive ideology or were offended by Trump’s rhetoric.  Let them grieve.  “Weep with those who weep.” 

The glory of God is at stake.  We are not Americans first.  We are the people of God.  What unites the Church is a love for Jesus Christ AND His people.  When we mock one another, we do not demonstrate the glory of God.  I hope that we can consider the emotions being felt by our brothers and sisters and demonstrate understanding and compassion.  We pray for our nation and our leaders so that the Gospel will spread and sinners will be saved.  Let’s not lose sight of our purpose.

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life."

Rich Mullins on Politics

In an interview, Rich Mullins said this.  I share it not as a sort of fatalistic response to the election, but as a reminder to live for heaven.  That is my home.

“I think for a long time I believed that there would be political solutions because, growing up in America, you endure several political campaigns and these people make promises and they say, we will do this and we will do that and you believe them because you don't know any better. And I really believed for a long time that this was all going to work. And I thank God now for Richard Nixon and for Gerald Ford and for all those people who betrayed any confidence that the American people could have in their government who said that the leadership of this country is not accountable to the people who elect them and who made so clear what we now know that no government works. And I wanted the government to work. And what I have now realized is I used to make fun of the sentimental feeling of the church that there was an afterlife. I used to mock songs about Heaven. And I used to think that it was somehow stupid and even wicked to dream of Heaven and to long for Heaven. And now I see the kind of a horrible place earth really is. And I go hiking and I go, this could be so beautiful. I met the guy last night sweeping the stairs down there and I talked to this very gentle man, a very kind man, a very simple man and I thought, how could a world made up of people like this be such a horrible place. And then I pick up the paper and read about dishonesty and deceit and betrayal and all that and go, I do long for Heaven. Someday God will destroy injustice. Someday there will be a judgment and because we have a loving and a forgiving Father, maybe we'll survive it. If we don't, sometimes I think hell is better than what we deserve anyway.”

1 Peter 2:11-12 “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”