Donald Trump is the next president of the United States of
America.
People have been worrying, cheering, campaigning, tweeting,
sharing, writing, posting, commenting, debating, and waiting for months, and
now the votes are in.
Today, I woke up in a world where a demonstrably racist,
sexist, greedy, criminal man is the leader of one of the world’s greatest
powers.
But, you know what?
I also woke up in a world where I know the God who created
it. And He is in control.
So, what is my response to the decision of the next
commander-in-chief of the USA?
I refuse to be shaken by it.
Donald Trump is moving into the White House, but he is not taking
over the Throne. That belongs to Jesus – yesterday, today, and forever.
Today, I continue with renewed passion and vigor to live out
my calling. To “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with my God” (Micah
6:8). To “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). To “love the
Lord with all [my] heart and with all [my] soul and with all [my] mind… and to love
[my] neighbour as [myself]” (Matthew 22:37-39).
Today, I will continue the work that I do every day on alongside
the hurt, the broken, and the vulnerable.
Will that work, and life, be different now that Trump is
president? Probably. How, specifically? I don’t know. Does worrying about that
help anyone? Nope.
I am reminded of the ancient words documented in the Biblical
book of Numbers. God had led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, into a
long journey in the desert. Their leader, Moses, was terrified about what was
to come, and cried out to God.
The answer, short and simple, was, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will
come true for you or not” (Numbers 11:23).
To those who have been hurt by the election, I am sorry.
There have been tongue-lashings so harsh, rhetoric so distasteful, and
divisions so deep that I cannot see how they will be repaired. I grieve with
you.
But rest assured: the Lord’s hand is not shortened. He is
still sovereign, and He is not afraid of any president, of any country, past,
present, or future. He’s got this.