November 8th. A day awaited by so many voting Americans. Whether they're voting for Hillary or Trump, I believe both party supporters are anxiously awaiting the results of the 2016 Presidential Election. This is an event that will make history, just like every election previous. Naturally, this should be a time of great patriotism and love for our democracy. However, it has produced nothing but uncertainty and angst.
Conversations about the next president have split families apart and have created hate for others voting against you. While we should be respecting each others' opinions were too busy sharing political cartoons and bashing others in our comment boxes. Americans are missing something. We are longing for a real and genuine solution, a solution greater than ourselves. The initial problem is that we are putting our hope for solutions, compassion, change, social justice, equality, and freedom in the wrong place. We are putting our hope in these two candidates when we should really be putting our hope in Jesus Christ.
If you're a non-Christian reading this, hear me out before you click exit. First, despite who you're voting for, Hillary and Trump are sinners just like you and me. Whoever wins will fail us, disappoint us, break our trust, and leave us empty handed. Speaking in a non-partisan way, both candidates have caused us to question and fear for the chance that they might win the nomination. And secondly, whoever wins, will not stand for the issues we would like them to. Hillary and Trump represent a large array of issues and values within their party as well as representing about half of the voting population. Will there be cases when they stand up and defend something you believe in? Yes, of course; however, there will be a great amount of Americans whose voices won't be heard.
Yet there is one person who will hear and understand every voice that cries out for help. Jesus Christ is the only hope for humanity. Without his love, we are just floating aimlessly in a sea without a compass. Without a higher power, nothing of true meaning will be accomplished for any party. We can't be compassionate, sincere, honest, helpful, supportive, or growing as a nation if we first don't have the love of Jesus Christ in our lives.
I challenge you to not look at the church for your answers because the church is made up of broken people just like you and me. Don't look at the "Christian stereotypes" for your answers because those are created by broken people as well. Whether you're a believer, questioning religion, or completely wanting nothing to do with God, I challenge you to not look at these two candidates for solutions but to look to the One who has all the answers.
If you're questioning who to vote for based on what they say about the poor the Bible says this: "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." –Psalm 9:9 (NIV). If you're uncertain on whether Hillary or Trump will defend social justice God says, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." –Romans 12:9 (NIV). Worried about which candidate will support equality in its many forms? The Bible says this: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
Again, I challenge you to think differently about the election. To ask yourself, "Who am I putting my hope in?"
