Post-election thoughts | November 9, 2016
November 9 is finally here. After a bitterly divisive campaign, we have elected a new president: Donald J. Trump, the 70 year old real estate mogul who has literally shocked the world by defeating Hillary Clinton, the woman so many people just assumed would be the next president. I think she made the same assumption.
What now? Several things come to mind:
1. Let's pray for our elected leaders. Whatever their motivation, they have now been entrusted with the responsibility to govern. From school board members to senators, judges to the president, it's our job to "pray for all those in authority" (1 Timothy 2:2). Pray for wisdom, strength, and humility. Pray that they will lead according to the common good, so that our country might continue to be a place of "justice for all," not just a few.
2. Hold our leaders accountable, but do so in light of kingdom standards, not political standards. After all, the only perfect kingdom is God's kingdom, and God's kingdom is rooted in justice, mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace -- a kingdom in which all might flourish. So, before spouting out the latest political talking points over the latest hot button issue, ask yourself: How might kingdom standards affect this conversation and my decision? Immigration, affordable health care, refugees? You might be surprised.
3. Remember that we're all in this together, which means we've got to figure out how to live and talk and debate together. Our political discourse is embarrassing. With that in mind, NYT columnist David Brooks writes this: "Respect for one another is the binding glue that holds our friendships together, even when we disagree strongly on politics and policies." Can we build respect for one another without racial slurs or the politics of destruction? Of course we can. Civility must overcome petty partisanship.
4. Remember that God is sovereign over all things, and at the end of the day he will lovingly guide those who follow him. My hope is built on nothing less.
Some of you are happy today, some are sad. My prayer is that we all will pull up our bootstraps and get to work ... together. Impossible? Well, I know someone who makes all things possible :)
May the peace of Christ be with you and our country+
Pastor Rhodes
