Dear Fellow Americans: 3 Things We All Must Immediately Do If Our Candidate Loses
Dear Fellow Americans:
We’re in the midst of the most important election in American history. It seems that’s what everyone says about every election. But there’s something about this one that feels different. Some say it’s the battle for the nation’s soul, but that means different things to different people.
LISTEN TO BILLY’S WEEKLY EDIFI PODCAST ON THE EDIFI PODCAST NETWORK
Some fear that a vote for Biden could usher in socialism and other chaos, turning the nation toward a totally different direction. Others believe Trump’s rhetoric and tone are a danger to America. Either way: the nation is deeply and bitterly divided.
So let me ask the uncomfortable question you likely don’t want to ponder: what happens if you wake up the day after the election and the results didn’t go the way you want them to? With tensions so high and with the uncertainty of 2016 causing many to doubt which way the election will truly go in 2020, this is a question we all have to answer. So, I wanted to break down a few important realities we all have to consider if we want to survive election day — and beyond (watch the video and read more below):
</p> <p>
First and foremost, our hope shouldn’t be in politics. Instead, our hope should be in something higher. Many of us talk about political outcomes like they’re our end all, be all. Listen, it’s easy to get whipped up into fear and chaos, but we can’t let these worries overtake us. Start with God and let everything else follow. The Bible says not to put other gods before the Lord and yet too many of us do that with politics. All of our hope is in a president when, in fact, it should be in Christ.
Politics are temporal and fleeting, yet we treat them like our saving grace.
Second: The people on the other side of the aisle aren’t irredeemable. Wrong? Possibly so. Misguided? Maybe certainly so. Sure, we might have different ideas -- we might see the world through totally different lenses. Maybe that other person or party has some truly terrible ideas -- even dangerous ones. No matter how much we disagree, there’s nothing in scripture that tells us to only love and care for those who agree with us. If I’m not mistaken, we’re actually told to love our enemies, and this is advice we all need to focus a bit deeper on.
Jesus says the following in Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV): “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That’s a tall order -- and a convicting one to say the least.
Finally, let’s pray for our leaders and our country. It doesn’t matter if you like or dislike the next president — it doesn’t matter if you voted for him or not. The Bible calls us to pray for our leaders. Again, not just the leaders we like or dislike but ALL of our leaders. From Nancy Pelosi to Donald Trump to Bernie Sanders to Mitch McConnell, there’s no exemption in scripture’s call to pray for our leaders.
If someone lacks wisdom, ask God to offer it. As God to open their hearts to his will, not their own. The stakes are high, and only He has the answers.
So, to summarize: put God first, realize that the other side isn’t irredeemable and be sure to pray for your politicians and country. That’s how we’ll truly keep America great. Listen to more of my commentary here.