“The storm is howling fiercely,
and I want to run away.
But the sun will rise tomorrow,
and will bring a brand new day.” -Jerry Ham
I found myself upset last night. Not because who I personally wanted in office wasn’t elected to office, but because of the things I saw in response last night. However, the sun still rose and the morning still came. I processed, and now I would love to get those things off of my chest. But first, let me discuss a little about my personal experience.
I come from a family of republicans. My home was very right-winged in this election, as they are in most, and I didn’t necessarily partake. I don’t doubt my family did some researching, at least enough to make an educated decision. To do otherwise isn’t my brother’s or mother’s style. However, I always wonder how the bias might have swayed certain thoughts one way or another. After all, bias is humanity’s natural monkey wrench. Just look at how the election was affected by bias last night, on both sides of the coin. 80% of “white evangelicals” voted Republican. 92% of “African-Americans” voted Democrat (the only of the two candidates who is African-American). 68% of seniors voted Right-side. 59% of 18-29 year-olds voted Left. There are so many things wrong with all of these pictures. As someone who sits on both the “White Evangelicals” and “18-29 year olds”, I’m appalled by the reasoning of both. First off, why are evangelicals voting for someone who is not evangelical? The only one of the two candidates who proclaims Jesus as savior was the democratic nominee (Here are some very honest and open quotes from the President). Regardless of specific decisions that the President has made in the past, we all must give credit where credit is due: He is an evangelical, where the opposing nominee is not. On the flip side of the coin, the new generation of young people. What has led to us being swayed toward the left? With some research and many discussions, I’ve found the key reasons for the millenials to sway that way is for these reasons: We value equal rights regardless of personal decisions, we value a relatable leader, and we are swayed by what our “influences” say. The equal rights is great, but can someone in California really say that their laws should be taken in Texas? Two very diffierent cultures, why shouldn’t we choose those “equal rights” based on the culture of the state? That was what the losing candidate was promoting, not nation-wide opposition to today’s hot topics (LGBT rights, abortion, etc.). Why was our vote swayed away from that? We value a relatable leader, but was the leader you voted for truly someone you could see yourself having a discussion with? Or were you swayed by the media and the famous people you look up to? Plenty of the people I follow on Twitter were Liberal, while many others were Conservative. I wasn’t swayed by the people I look up to the most, but rather swayed by “how can we all make progress together, in unity?”. I see both sides of myself voting completely opposite of how the “majority” of people who identify themselves as each respective demographic did. It only leads me to question.
And as I question, I look to my peers, my role models, and most importantly my God. I don’t typically post about my religious affiliation, I prefer that to be in one-on-one discussion, so as to answer questions and educate, as well as to learn from others. Let me take a moment to lay out the foundation of that, even against my real desire to share these things online, so that the rest of my words can come across clearly:
I am a born-again believer in Jesus. I believe the world, including myself, is corrupted to pride and perversion of the truth. I believe that the God of the Universe, who created the universe by hand, has a plan in all things, to work for the good of His glory, His plan, and for those who love Him, whether I can foresee how it will work out to His glory or not. I believe I am in need of a redeemer, to take what I have done that is wrong (not by MY morals, but by the standard of morals that is unbreakable) and pay the penalty for me, so that I don’t have to. If you have questions about that, get ahold of me. Facebook and Twitter can eventually lead to coffe conversations. Now, as a believer, I also believe that I can’t expect non-believers to understand the standard that christians are held to. The idea of unbreakable, unmovable, set morals makes little sense to them. Because of that, I can’t rebuke a non-believer, only educate them on what truly is the truth. It is up to God to convict and convert that person, my role is to act as God’s initial seed-planter. I believe that God EXPECTS ALL CHRISTIANS to encourage and empower through prayer and intercession ALL LEADERS to follow the hand of God. We see as Christians that in the book of Judges in the Bible that God uses both good and evil kings to work out His ultimate plan, so we should expect nothing less from an all-powerful God in this day and age. Any “christian” who doesn’t agree with all of these things I would question their faith very personally (if this is you, let’s get coffee and talk as civilized adults, instead of having a full facebook wall).
With all of that said, let me get into the reasons I grew to be upset last night, and my thoughts 14 hours later:
I saw a lot of christians, both ones that I know personally and that I only know as a cultural celebrity, complaining to an unhealthy level. Let me show some of the quotes I saw last night (posted anonymously, of course):
“Where do I sign up for welfare?”
“We should now declare ourselves socialists… Game over.”
“I can’t wait to pay for someone’s welfare with the money I don’t have from the jobs that don’t exist #sostoked”
“Watching the people celebrating on TV makes me sick. They are literally celebrating the demise of America as we know it.”
“Well, here goes another 4 years of nothing getting done”
“Watching the re-election is watching America’s funeral.”
“Projected: #Obama has won; America has lost.”
“It almost feels like people are celebrating the demise of America. #sad”
It saddens me to read these kinds of things, especially to know that at least half of these quotes are from very close friends of mine. But let’s look at this, is this encouraging our leader? Is this standing up for America? Not in the least bit! Just as well, these are things I would expect non-christians to say! If we truly see ourselves as having faith that God knows what He is doing, why aren’t we celebrating that God has appointed a leader, and now we have the opportunity to pray for him? Sure we won’t always agree with everything he says, but when was the last time you met a christian that you agreed with EVERYTHING on? Through these tweets all I saw were examples of unpatriotism, faithlessness, and disrespect. Christian, you are made for more than those three things. You have been made to lead this country with your values, yes, but more importantly with your submission to the Appointer of authority. So what does this Appointer have to say about submission, prayer, and His plan? Here are a few things:
1 Timothy 2:1-4 // 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Deuteronomy 1:15 // 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 // 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
I don’t write these words to scornfully scold my fellow believers, but educate believers and non-believers alike, that there is a standard.
For my believer friends who are frustrated at those who are scolding them, even angered by them to say things like “who are you to judge?” and “I’m allowed to have my opinions” and “Get off your high horse”; those are phrases reserved for nonbelievers. Here’s why:
Luke 17:3 // 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
Proverbs 15 :31 // 31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
There are plenty more, but for those of you saying those things, remember, if you are a believer, it is up to our brothers and sisters to rebuke you for saying things that are not cohesive with the Word of God. You have a duty as well as I do and the rest of our brothers and sisters do, we just want you to stay on board with us to do that duty well, and not cause harm to the witness of the Gospel.
There are things you can control and cannot. Other people’s reactions are uncontrollable, only correctable. Not to say that they will correct them, but our role is to be loving in our rebuking. MY president is in office, whether I chose him or not. YOUR president is also in office, whether you chose him or not. Christians, you are held to a higher standard to support our leader. Nonbelievers, you are not held to such a standard, but if you ever plan on having a united nation, you better jump in that same boat. If we want anything to get done, whether Red or Blue is in office, we must maintain unity. One nation, one country, one people.
I would like to wrap up with something that all of us can agree on, whether believer or non-believer, rebuker or rebuked, conservative or liberal, with a short quote from the loser of last night’s presidential election:
“I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation.”
If he can say it, and act on it, so can you.
We can be one, my friends.
-Kevin
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Kevin McClure is a songwriter, musical artist, and worship leader. His singing & songwriting has led to him touring the United States both as a performer and worship leader. Kevin lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife and two daughters. You can follow him on all social media platforms under @KevinTMcClure.
Kevin McClure 