Election day is finally upon us. In a few hours, the fearful wait of who will become the 45^th president of these United States will finally come to an end. The world has been watching as we go back and forth between two imperfect candidates who will impact not only our country, but the free world, for the next four years. I am a follower of Christ, and I'm very aware that Donald Trump has the vote of many Christians. But, when I cast my vote for president this election, I will NOT be voting for Donald Trump.

I'll be completely honest; I am no expert on politics. To be even more honest, my political knowledge doesn’t go beyond what I’ve learned in my high school U.S. Government class. I've never fully identified myself to any political party. From what I’ve seen, one side has pretty liberal views, while the other seems to hold to tradition but slightly lacks compassion for those less privileged. But again, I'm no election specialist. Despite my lack of sophisticated political knowledge, I do know enough to say that Donald Trump will not have my vote.

It has been said that the media distorts his character, causing him to appear more offensive than he truly is. Regardless of what the media does or doesn't, It doesn't change the hurtful words that have came out of Trump's mouth. Prior to becoming the Republican Presidential Candidate and even more so during this election, Donald Trump has promoted sexual assault, expressed blatant racism and sexism, explicit hatred, and potentially anything else offensive you can imagine. For me, those promotions are indications of his discouraging character, which make him unfit for such power.

From Donald Trump running this election, there has been so much hatred and division in our nation. Although some of that hatred may have been always there, I can't vote for a candidate who promotes hate. I don't want to live in a country where hatred and unacceptance for others is acceptable. God call us out to love one another. God's second greatest commandment for us was to love each as we love ourself. By voting for Trump, I wouldn't be keeping everyone's best interest at heart. I believe if President Barack Obama did a fraction of the things that Donald Trump has done, he would have never been elected because as a black man, he is held to a different standard. It shows the disproportionate level of respect for people within this country and because of existing inequities, we need a president who will propagate progressive unity-not one who literally wants to build divisive walls.

Although I have no intention of voting for Trump, I can’t say that proudly support Hillary Clinton either. I don't necessarily agree with a majority of Clinton's stances on particular issues, but I know I feel more comfortable with her as my president. My father once said is a political leader is only a political leader, not a spiritual leader. So while we can make all laws and policies we want to preserve this nation, those won't change the hearts of individuals; only God can do that. God gave us free-will even though he knew doing that we'd be capable of making the wrong choices. I don't agree with any of the evil in this world, but this world isn't our home. I believe that our nation should be free to choose because no genuine feelings or beliefs will come out of force.

Yes it's true, us Christians have been persecuted for our beliefs in this day and age, but we knew being a Christian was never the easy road. We're told to take up our cross and follow Christ. Jesus said that he was sending us out like sheep among wolves. I gets pretty scary. We have limited control over situations, because at the end of the day, God is ultimately sovereign over everything. We let ourselves get caught up with politics and worries of this world when we have a greater hope in an unchanging God who makes real things happen. Despite all of the craziness surrounding this election, I find comfort in knowing that God will be there after our future president has been chosen. Regardless of who wins I will be satisfied because my hope isn't found in our next president; it's found in the Lord, and that is something no candidate can every take from me