Tomorrow, at 11:30am EST, on Inauguration Day 2017, President-Elect Donald J. Trump, and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence will be sworn into Office! For the schedule, check out this link.
Oh how many opinions are there surrounding this day: was it a fair result, how good or bad each candidate was, how great or terrible Trump/Pence will be. I, myself, have opinions that I have expressed on social media multiple times. At the start of this campaign process I was for Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio, but through a fair process, Trump won the Presidential Nomination for the Republican Party. I wasn’t thrilled to say the least, but as time went by I begun to see that since no candidate is perfect, the choice was an easy one.
You say: “How could it possibly have been an easy choice?” Let me tell you…
When you realize that both candidates are flawed, you compare policies and their platforms. Who’s policies most align with your beliefs? For me, as a Christian, no matter what decision is made I must examine it against what my Lord says. Seeing as that everyone is sinful, I had to look at their stances on abortion, same-sex marriage, national & international security, gun control, etc. What aligned most with what I believe to be honoring to God? That is how I made my decision. “But you don’t have to vote!” Well, I see it differently than some, I feel it is my right, living in a nation that gives me that privilege to choose my leader… I do.
However, instead of going into the whole process of how and why I made my decision, I want to bring some hope and wisdom on how we should react on Inauguration Day 2017.
FIRST | Pray
Pray for this great nation. We need to pray for our new leaders and their families, our men and women in service, and those who fight for our freedoms everyday. Pray for wisdom, both for us as Americans and our new leaders.
SECOND | Watch
Watch the Inaugural Ceremony, speeches, prayers, and news coverage. No matter who your candidate was, stay informed of what is said and done on one of the most important, if not the most important days in our nation.
THIRD | Be Involved & Stay Involved
Were you involved in the campaign trails and Election Day? If not, now is your time to get involved and stay involved. Make your voice be heard, but do it respectfully and with grace. Read, watch, and stay connected to the decisions our leaders make over the next four years.
FOURTH | Always Trust
Always trust that the Lord is sovereign and always in charge. He raises up rulers and nations, and watches them fall as well. God is never caught by surprise when something happens! Trust that if we have chosen the wrong candidate, God will still be glorified and will always take care of us. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need. (Daniel 2:21 | Psalm 115:3 | Philippians 4:6-7 | Psalm 46:1)
I’d like to close with lyrics from Phil Wickham’s At the Foot of the Cross:
I come for life, I come for peace,
I come before you on my knees.
LORD hear my cry, you’re all I need,
Oh God, I come to the cross.
