No one can argue that we are living in some crazy times most of us have never experienced before. In the midst of all going on we have a very important event, a Presidential election, coming up. This piece I’m writing is not about who you are going to vote for, but it’s a reminder of who we are as a Christian community.

It’s so easy to be caught up in the drama of an election year where opinions and emotions run high. I think it’s good and healthy to take a moment and remind yourself who you are. As Christians we believe our life is from and belongs to God. The world we currently live in can cause fear and anxiety. I have a few questions for the believer.

Do you believe God is who he says he is? Do you believe that the Bible is truth, and do you believe all scriptures? Do you trust God?

It’s been so saddening this past month or so with hearing, seeing, and watching my Christian friends become divided and acting in a non-Christlike way. I know it’s easy to be caught up and become passionate in what we believe.  So that is why I want to say these reminders.

Just because someone is a Republican does not make them a Christian and just because someone votes Democrat does not make them a non-Christian. When have we become so judgmental? Only God knows the heart and true motives of a person. We don’t always know the reason someone came to the choice that they are making. We can in most cases, peacefully agree to disagree. I’ve seen so much disrespect lately, that it makes my heart hurts. Some of the disrespect has come from people who call themselves Christians. We can become too quick to judge others when we don’t see eye-to-eye.

If we truly believe God is in charge, then we will trust who he puts in charge. God is in control. I think each of us needs to pray and ask God to guide us in all our choices. I believe God wants us to pray, make the best choices we can, and live by our conscience, because there are consequences for our actions. But ultimately God puts in charge who needs to be. Daniel 2:21 says, “And He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings and setteth up kings…” In the end, the man who becomes the next President will be who is meant to be. As Christians, if you don’t like the result, you are saying God got it wrong.

Instead of praying for God to put your candidate in office for President, pray that God’s will be done. We don’t have a clue what tomorrow holds. That’s something we’ve learned in 2020. If your candidate doesn’t win, it means there is a different purpose needed for what’s ahead. Again, this about having faith in God and trusting him. How many times does the Bible tell us to not live in fear? 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that fear is not from God.

How do others know you are a Christian? 1 John 3:19 “Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.” If we are truly striving for a Christ-like life, then our actions will reflect that. How we treat others who think opposite of us reveals our character. Respect, kindness, integrity, truthfulness, and compassion for others are what we need more of in our world and what should be expected of someone who calls themselves a Christian.

God loves us all and uses others, circumstances, and experiences to teach us what we need to learn. For me, 2020 has been a year of much learning about myself and others around me. God wants us all to continue to learn and grow and to show love to others. I think as a people of faith, we need to focus on bringing people together to demonstrate God’s love. So much focus has been on either getting our own way or hoping to other side gets what’s coming to them. Division in any form from a nation, to a community, to a relationship will only end in pain and hurt. When there is division, it opens up for someone else to come in and take control of your life. We are the United States of America and I pray united we continue to stand.

2 Chronicles 7:14, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” If the Christian community will humble themselves and pray, God will do the healing. Honestly, I haven’t seen as much compassion and humility lately as I have discourse and dislike. I can’t stress this enough. Let us all come together to pray for God’s will to be done. It has become all about our own will. Let’s not be divided on who becomes the next President, but let’s become united that God is in control and that we by faith will believe He has a bigger purpose and plan for all our lives. The cross is your crossroad to be the best person you can be. Christians should be an example of what you should be. Continue to pray for our nation, our leaders, and our world. If you truly believe and trust in God, then you know He’s got this.

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