OK, we need to discuss something. By now, there have been a few days since the election tweeted 'round the world. We've had some time to celebrate, to reflect, and for some of America, to mourn. There have been tweets, Facebook posts, and videos of Trump supporters raving over the new president-elect, Donald Trump, but here is the thing, Trump supporters: We. Cannot. Be. Jerks.
I've seen a hundred videos shared of Hillary Clinton's headquarters on election night, in which people were sobbing, bawling, and even putting on their coats and leaving out of frustration. Trump supporters are ridiculing and laughing at these people who are physically made sick by the idea of having him hold office. We can turn away, laugh, and say "too bad," but Christians, that is not even remotely OK. Do we truly want to unify America? We keep saying "Only Jesus can hold our country together," but do we truly believe that? Are we so willing to believe that He would give us exactly what republicans wanted and prayed for - Donald Trump for President - and not expect us to put in hard work and effort to spread His name to those Americans who are lost enough to believe that Hillary was the best option for our country?
Just as we felt in our hearts that Donald Trump was what this country needed and just as we invested our time, money, and votes into him, democrats did the same for Hillary. They believed in her and they are overcome with fear for the Republican Party. Yes, democrats and republicans have plenty of differences. However, there are democrats that are moms, dads, daughters, sons, employees, pastors, teachers, Christians. Do they not deserve the love of Christ from us, just because of which imperfect individual they wanted to place into an imperfect office? Let us not forget, republicans, Trump has a LOT of work to do in order to gain the full trust of a lot of hurting Americans, especially women and minorities. Let us not forget that Trump being elected feels like a victory, but have we really won anything if our fellow Americans are fearing for their lives, their families?
I'm not telling you what to do, here. I'm simply saying, don't be a jerk. These people, these democrats, are just as loved by the Father as the Christian republican, as the Third Party voter, as the Muslim, as the Pastor, as the Abortionist. God. Loves. Them. There is nowhere in the Word that even suggests the notion that God sacrificed any less for a democrat than He did for a republican. They have just as much of an opportunity to come to the Father and find His grace and love as anyone else, and we need to start displaying that steadfast love in our homes, in the workplace, at school, and yes, in our politics. The time for division is over and done with. It is time to unify, despite our differences, and pray not that the democrats would change all of their views and see our side, but that in and through us, they might see the grace and mercy of the Father, and that they might not be able to help but become curious about His selflessness towards us. Be smart, republicans. Be gracious. Love well, often, and without hesitation.
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
