Sanders, Clinton, Trump, Cruz and Kasich. If I had a dime for every time that I’ve heard these names mentioned by friends, family or the news over the past year, I wouldn’t be writing this article right now since I would be relaxing at my new beach house. While there is no doubt that this election is significant and that it will shape the future of our exceptional country for years to come, we need to stop to the thing that is tearing our country apart.
Whether it be constant criticism on the many debatable things that candidates have done, said or proposed, we need to put a stop to the negativity that is surrounding the election process. We as Americans don’t need to stop just because it’s the right thing to do, but because if we as a country keep up these detrimental habits, then we will only grow further divided and fight more amongst ourselves. We face bigger barriers overseas such as the war with ISIS, threats from other superpowers and a fragile world economy. If we spend all our valuable time and energy fighting each other, these other threats will become more serious, and we will defeat ourselves, much like the Romans did.
The other night I was sitting out with my roommate in our common room discussing one of our most frequent topics; politics. While we were sitting there bouncing ideas off of each other, he showed me a video that resonated with me and has a message that many Americans need to hear. In the video, a senior pastor, Andy Stanley preached the message of faith.
He said that the generation behind us is taking the cue from those age 45 and older. They look up to these adults. Too often they hear, “if we don’t get the right person elected, or if candidate A gets it, we are done for. It’s the end of the world. If we don’t do this, or don’t do that, it will all unravel.” Stanley says that we need to have faith in God. Adults who are over 45 need to set an example for the next generation that God is in control. God can be trusted. He added that it’s important to get involved with your culture and with your society, but don’t fix your eyes on it. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
A coupIe of days ago I was reading "Pope Francis Speaks to Out Hearts," which is composed of short experts from Pope Francis’ addresses and homilies since the time he was elected. One passage that jumped out to me ties together both Pastor Stanley’s message and the division America needs to overcome to become united. On the page titled Unity Is the Work of the Spirit, Francis says, “When we are the ones who try to create diversity and close ourselves up in what makes us different and other, we bring division. When we are the ones who want to build unity in accordance with our human plans, we end up creating uniformity, standardization. But if instead we let ourselves be guided by the Spirit, richness, variety and diversity never become a source of conflict, because he impels us to experience variety within the communion of the Church.”
While it’s important to get involved in the election process, we need to understand that God has a plan for everything, and have faith in whatever this plan may be. Realize that the negativity is harmful to our country, and though it will never go away, we can certainly reduce it. Trust that God has a plan for all of this often crazy mess, and that everything will work out.
