Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: “We’ve learned to fly the air as birds. We’ve learned to swim the sea as fish. Yet, we haven’t learned to walk the Earth as brothers and sisters.”
The media has been right about one thing: this election is such an important, historical moment. We are looking at an opportunity for major change in our nation and what’s to come for future generations. But it’s not so much because Trump was elected.
Today, we, the people, have the chance to take back control over the fate of this country. We have a choice to make. We can let the results take root in our hearts, twist and turn our emotions, doubts, and frustrations. We can allow ourselves to live in fear and spew prejudices because of different political views, policies, skin color, sexual preference, or birthplace.
Or we can RISE. We can look at the person next to us: the one standing beside us in line at the grocery store, the person who sits besides us on the bus, the mom of the kid who is a different color but playing with our child at the park with no biases yet learned, the friend who was born into a different religion, and definitely a different opinion and say: “Let me walk with you; let me listen to you. Let me love you for exactly who you are and embrace the things that set us apart.”
We have an opportunity to make America live up to its potential. But that opportunity is not based on a Trump or a Clinton. It’s not even based on an election–although, we can let this one fuel our hearts for action. Our path to victory as a whole, does not rest with one political party or even the Senate and House. It rests in the hearts of the everyday American. It’s rests in our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities.
While, I can only imagine the fear of those who have been subject to the threats and slurs of a foul-mouthed Trump, I also see the despair of placing our nation in the hands of a corrupt Clinton. Each voter has every right to fear the potential harms, neglect, and prejudices of both major candidates. But will we place our fate, our joy, our hope in two very flawed individuals? You see, our great nation is supposed to be made “by the people, for the people.”
There’s one thing greater than any imperfect leader… the hearts of those they lead.
This is our opportunity to finally put our faith in humanity–in each other… not in a blemished President-elect. The United States is not an electoral vote, a foreign policy, an elephant, or a donkey. It’s not a tax code or a corrupt Department of Justice. It’s the American Dream. It’s people moving to become a nation with a big heart that desires to better everyone and find peace while searching for justice and liberty for all. It’s working together to fuel us forward and grow in grace.
When we’re consumed with fear of what’s to come, anger for disrespectful words or a disgruntled facebook post, or doubt in leadership that is set to guide us for the next four years… we must remember that our fate is really about you and me.
Our hope is the stranger who hugged me as I cried tears of exhaustion while shopping with a newborn. Our future lies with the little boy of a different color who plays joyfully with my son without discriminations they have yet to learn from adults. Our joy comes from a smile and “hello” in the hallway from someone who knows nothing about who we voted for. Our freedom is reflected by the military family who spends holidays apart. Our success comes from cheering on a life of happiness for anyone who finds someone to love forever, regardless of sexual orientation. Our redemption comes from being on the giving end of an act of kindness for a stranger. And our grace comes when we stop judging and start comforting and encouraging with Jesus as our focus.
No two persons’ walk is the same. That’s the beauty of America. But instead of throwing stones, anger, and assaults in the paths of others…including the new President, perhaps we should lock arms, lend an ear and a hand, and show this leadership that united we stand and divided we fall.
Our protection against the evil, the hate, and the division rests in choosing to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It’s loving others despite difference of opinion. It’s reaching for equality for those who have long lost their voice in our political system. Our success as a nation is offering the same grace and forgiveness that Jesus showed us when He died for our sins. We are called to simply love others. And especially for Christians, we are called to pay respect to the sacrifice of Jesus–not make a mockery of it.
So, I pray that before we quickly act or speak with demeaning tones, judgment, and scrutiny… we will first ask what we can do for the person next to us to show love, offer hope, and let our hearts serve before we berate them. Look to the cross. Let’s put our faith in Jesus and back in humanity. Remember God’s undeserved mercy we receive for ALL nations… and let America’s potential for greatness, restoration, and unity come from you and me.
house of stain 