As the smoke of a thousand fires ascend toward Heaven, the American Church struggles to find answers to its latest crisis of faith. What does the election of Donald Trump really mean to those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ?
Does this latest political upheaval portend disaster for the causes of justice and racial equality? Does it spark hope for slowing or ending anti-Christian bigotry, transgender bathrooms, and abortion? It would appear that it completely depends on the perspective of the person you ask.
The problem with human perspectives is that they are about as useful as the pre-election prophecies on Facebook, YouTube and other places that claimed a win for Clinton, or that President Obama would refuse to leave office. Believe it or not, the same can be said for those who prophesied a win for Trump. Though I can’t say “all”, I believe I can reasonably say “most” were merely imaginings from personal biases that just happened to work-out this time. People tend to remember and boast when they get it right, and forget and hide when they get it wrong.
Providentially, trustworthy answers are not found in the pontifications of self-proclaimed human prophets, rather they are found in the Word of God. As children of God, we know that we do not live as those who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13). We know that even death itself cannot separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:38-39).
Israel was not left without hope when they became slaves in the land of Egypt. Judah, despite their blatant disobedience, was not left without hope as slaves under Nebuchadnezzar. Indeed, some of the greatest miracles of all the Bible happened during the most challenging of times.
It’s not called faith without reason my friend. Faith says that mountains will move, blind eyes will see, the dead will rise again and yes, the Churches greatest days are ahead, not behind.
As the Democrats try to sort out what happened and the Republicans try to figure out what it all means, may we the Church set about an even more important task of renewing our first love and rediscovering the faith that says, “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
And, while we are doing all that, let us not forget that our greatest witness is our love for each other, especially when we disagree; “Everyone, will know you are my disciples by your love for one another” (John 13:35)
The disobedient will do what they do. Sinners will continue to sin. The Church however is called to live a higher more noble example. One that is filled with Faith, Hope and Love.
Shalom!