We spend most of our lives submitting to authority, because this is what we are called to do.
We submit to our parents as children, to our teachers as students, to our bosses as employees, and so on. While such submission may be out of fear of consequences, it can also be out of respect for the given authority. Though it isn't always easy, we still do it...most of the time at least.
Something that people are beginning to ignore is the fact we are also under the authority of our government, led by the President of the United States, who is now President Donald Trump. We are not exempt from submission in this situation, nor are we exempt from respecting our government and its leaders. This doesn't mean you have to agree with every single action the government takes, but respect isn't optional; it shouldn't depend on your mood or feelings.
As I'm sure you've noticed, many are resistant (if that even begins to cover it) to Trump's jurisdiction. The trending #NotMyPresident and rampant protests are just a couple examples. And I get it, I really do. Trump has been vulgar and degrading, but he is our President, the leader of our nation. Our country elected him and he deserves a chance. If we desire to see him fail, then we fail with him. If this ship sinks, then so do we.
So what do we do? No matter your political, religious, or social views are, you yet again have to submit. Yes, stand up for what you believe in. Absolutely. But don't allow your disagreement with the President's actions to fill you with hatred for him or for this country. Whether you agree with him or not, he is your President. Though you may feel otherwise, the world will won't stop revolving because Trump won the election.
It's also important to remember that no matter the leader of our nation, he or she will always disappoint us. It's because of this reality that we need to put our ultimate trust and hope in Christ, not man. If you believe that one person will solve every problem and heal the hurting parts of this world, I'm sorry to say that you are in for a rude awakening. As much as we wish that someone like the President will have all the right answers, it just doesn't work that way. But our Creator never fails.
Hatred divides us; love unites us. But how exactly does love trump hate?
Love trumps hate by simply listening to others.
Love trumps hate by laying your weapons down.
Love trumps hate by humbly yielding to authority.
Love trumps by speaking the truth without tearing others down.
Love trumps hate by choosing to extinguish the fire when you easily fuel it.
Romans 13:1-2 "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
