How we respond to the results of this election as a Church, Church meaning the entire of body Christ, will send a strong message to the rest of the country, and the world, about just how seriously we take our faith and our God. If we respond rashly with hate and fear, we are no different than those we claim to want to witness to and bring into a relationship with Christ. How we respond as individuals churches will also send a message to our local communities. What message will you send? I can tell you how I plan to lead QTEC forward from this election.
1) Space to be angry
We often times as Christians, and especially myself as a white protestant male, find it easy to skip the angry aspect of the healing process and move straight on to the peace. However, what I have come to understand is that doing this doesn't bring about deep, meaningful and lasting peace. Some insight into this can be found in the Book of Ephesians, which is a letter that Paul writes to the church in Ephesus. A letter that begins and ends with love, but love is not absent of righteous anger. Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us that anger is a part of the healing and forgiving process, but that dwelling on it is unhealthy; emotionally, spiritually and physically. We must take our time to be angry, scared and hurt, but then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, gain a Kingdom perspective and move forward in faith, hope and love.
1) We are foreigners passing through
Philippians 3:20 reminds us that though we focus on earthly things, our citizenship is not here on earth, but in heaven. As followers of Christ, it is from this mindset that we should respond to the results of the election. When we realize that we are just travelers passing through on our way home, the significance of the election finds its rightful place. This is just temporary. How we respond to the results of this election is a direct reflection of our faith and trust in God.
2) He may be president, but Christ is King
Revelation 1:5 reminds us to whom we serve and who it is that saved us. Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth. All things are within His control and though we do not understand why, we trust in the Lord, knowing that He gave His life so that we may an eternal citizenship in the Kingdom of God. So do not fear, for the one who while we were still sinners, died for us, is in control. It is from this place that we understand that how we respond to the results of this election will reveal which king we truly serve.
3) Pray though you disagree
In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul is writing a letter to Timothy directing him to pray for Nero and provide supplications, prayer and intercessions on his behalf. Now Nero was well known for his ruthless persecution of Christians during his reign, but Paul still directed Timothy to pray for him. We as a church at QTEC need to pray for our president and other leaders. We need to pray for the LORD's discernment and guidance. That they will not seek the lime light, but seek to lead humbly and "quietly" for the good of the American people. How we respond to the results of this election will reveal the true condition of our hearts.
4) Trust in the Lord your God
The Book of Proverbs and it's wisdom literature exhorts us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to lean not on our own understanding, but to trust in God with all of our heart and he will make righteousness attainable. Doing all or any of the above without full trust in and reliance on God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, would be impossible. Yet, by trusting in Him fully, we do not become overly focused on or discouraged by the world around us; we place our hope in the King of Kings, realizing that this place is just a pit stop on our way to heaven; and through this acknowledgment we can humble ourselves enough to pray for a leader or leaders that we not agree with or even despise.
So, how will I lead QTEC forward? By the power of the Holy Spirit, steadfast hope in Jesus Christ, a heart of compassion and armed with the Word of God. The road ahead may not be easy. In fact, it will most likely be the exact opposite, but we have Christ, a savior who understands our pain, our suffering and yes, even our fear. As God makes clear throughout His Word; he will never leave us nor forsake us, and I will take Him at His Word any day!