I'm a girl who normally doesn't feel obligated to discuss politics much, but with the 2016 election in our rearview mirrors, I had to reflect. I'm not even old enough to vote, but that doesn't mean that this election affected me any less. As a young person in America, I wanted to really educate myself. I watched every debate, read countless articles, sighed my way through hundreds (if not thousands) of campaign advertisements and even volunteered to work at the polls on Election Day. On the political spectrum, I placed myself right in the middle. I also chose not to support a candidate personally--I wanted to sit back, open-mindedly, and really understand the logistics of it all.
What I didn't expect was such a great division of my country after the ballots were counted. It's astonishing how far people will go for things that they are passionately for or against. I went to school the day after the results were announced, hearing mixed words of "Yes, we're going to Make America great again, " and "He's going to take all of my rights away." As for me, I didn't worry or sweat once-- because it seems I remembered something that few of my classmates did not.
I have said the Pledge of Allegiance every school day of my life, and there is one part to me that particularly stands out:
"And to the Republic, for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible..."
These words rang out in my head the entire day, and I don't think many people realize the importance of them. We pledge allegiance every day to a country under God, that is indivisible. At the end of the day, this is what matters, regardless of who leads our government. So, what did I realize, you ask?
We are a country under God's leadership, and no matter who is the president, Jesus is the King of Kings.
Matthew 19:26 says, "But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
We have to understand that we can accomplish anything and overcome any obstacle with God's help--but humans alone cannot do this. This gives me hope that one day, our country can come together and become stronger than ever. As Christians, God gives us this hope, and with His love, we cannot fail.
It says in Proverbs 1:33, "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
If we choose to live the way God wants us to, what do we have to fear? Absolutely nothing. If we immerse ourselves in our faith, we will see a bright tomorrow. A lot of Americans are worried that this tomorrow won't come, but we know God has a greater plan for all of us.
Take it from Romans 8:37-39...
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
There is no earthly thing or any evil that can break the power God reveals to us. His love is so great, and when we accept this love, we must live it out. We can be bright lights in the world if we live according to God's will. His ultimate power is what will guide us in the right direction together, but we have to set this example for others in order to come together. It's one thing to read about God's love, but another to live it out. Read it, understand it, live it.
Not everyone will understand this oh-so important thing that Christians recognize, even if we really try to explain it to them. So, the most we can do is be compassionate and understanding and shine our lights of God's love in all we do.
As for me? I'll keep an open mind, remain optimistic and be proud to call myself an American. I'll pray for my country, and its leaders and citizens. I won't forget about those who have fought and died for the freedoms I possess, and will thank God for those people.
And when someone tells me that all of this has "nothing to do with God" or that "God has no place in modern America"...
I will not fret or stress, because I know God is in control of it all, even if they don't.
