As we embark on this new journey as a country by welcoming a new president into leadership, which is not a responsibility I would ever want, my heart is breaking. Not because of who was elected or because of who wasn’t, but because of how people are handling themselves. Innocent people are getting hurt, business are being destroyed, city being torn apart and all because some didn’t get their way. I am all for having our own opinions and even speaking up for what you believe in. I understand being disappointed that things didn’t turn out the way you wanted. But how in the world am I supposed to explain to my children that it isn’t ok to throw a fit when they don’t get their way when adults, ADULTS are calling each other names, degrading the intelligence of friends, destroying entire cities and killing innocent people because they’re upset. This country didn’t become land of the free and home of the brave because of one president or even 20 presidents. It was because of the men and women who were willing to fight and lay down their lives for each and everyone of us, and this is how we repay them? The fact that people think it’s ok to destroy this county in the form of a gigantic temper tantrum is embarrassing.
I am saddened that as a human race we have put all our hope and faith into another sinful, imperfect human being. That we have lost sight of the one who created us. Instead of burning buildings and engaging in violent crimes we should be on knees with lifted hands praying for our leaders. Lifting them up, asking for guidance, trust, and directions. We should be praying that decisions will not be made based on personal desires but on the will of God and His desires for this country. One of my greatest prayers is that as a country we would bond together, reach across the division line and love one another simply and purely because we are people. I love what Chip and Joanna Gains said when controversy was stirred up over something their pastor said. It touches on everything we are experiencing as a country right now. This is what Chip Gains said,
“This past year has been tough. In my lifetime, I can’t recall humanity being more divided. Plenty of folks are sad and scared and angry and there are sound bites being fed to us that seem fueled by judgment, fear and even hatred. Jo and I refuse to be baited into using our influence in a way that will further harm an already hurting world, this is our home. A house divided cannot stand. Joanna and I have personal convictions. One of them is this: we care about you for the simple fact that you are a person, our neighbor on planet earth. It’s not about what color your skin is, how much money you have in the bank, your political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, nationality or faith.”
I wish more of us truly believed and embraced this idea. That regardless of beliefs, race, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, etc, etc, etc…. that we would speak kindness, truth and love into the lives of those around us. That rather than retaliating against each other we would listen with sincere hearts, not so that we could respond but so we could understand the hearts of those with views different from our own. We were not created in the likeness of mankind but in the likeness of our Lord and Savior. We have been given free choice not as a punishment or to use against others, but because we are loved beyond measure by the One who created us. I want to encourage each and everyone of you to choose to love rather than hate. To strive to understand and embrace those who are different from you. And more than anything live out the divine purpose you were given to value people for who they are not what they believe or who you think they should be.
Nowhere in scripture does it say to hate your neighbor because they are republican, democrats, conservative, liberal, white, brown, black, purple or green, baptist, methodist, catholic, atheist, buddhist, islamic, rich, poor, beautiful, ugly and so on. It doesn’t say to throw a tantrum when upset, call names and burn cities. It is simple, Luke 10:27 says it all, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no better time than now to show our younger generation that regardless of our views we can come together and make this country that we dearly love great again. Not because of who our president is, not because of where we are financially or spiritually but because we have love. That there is acceptance of each and every life on this earth because they have been created out of love and purpose from a divine being that looks upon each and every one of us with love so great and grand that He sent His one and only Son to die so we could have life, and life to the fullest.
There is no man (or woman) that could provide the hope and assurance that Jesus gives. Our life is merely a vapor (James 4:14), we have only a short time to live out our God given purpose. Do you really want to waste it fueling the hate or spreading the love?