what's next?

My husband and I were talking to our kids the other day about how important it is for them to learn to stand for their beliefs and live the life God has called them to now, while it is easy. We were talking about how one day in the future, they will most likely be forced to either cave to the world or stand for God, and in that moment the decision will mean a whole lot more than just social standing.

Right now, Christians in the United States have been given a reprieve.

The election of Trump was honestly not something I expected. I've written for quite a few years now about the decline of our nation, and I know I'm not the first--or only--one to point out the downward spiral of morality that we've been seeing for decades. As a nation founded by men who claimed the protection of God, I truly believe we chose to be held to the standards of the covenants we entered. God keeps His side of His promises--the good and the bad. That means that broken covenants have consequences. When you look at how much the United States have turned away from God and His direction for our lives and our country, I was afraid we were squarely in the center of His judgment. After all, it is what we deserve. We have stayed silent while children are sacrificed on the altar of convenience--in the womb, but also in the life of families that break apart because of "irreconcilable differences" or parents who choose work over their children. We've gone along with the pain and confusion of the most vulnerable among us, allowing broken people to break more instead of standing as reminders of truth in their lives. We've bought into the lies of the world instead of standing for the truth of God.

I truly believe that the election of Donald Trump was an act of mercy. I honestly don't know why God chose to be merciful, but I am so thankful that He did.

So now, honor the opportunity God has given us. Now isn't the time to slide back into complacency, to fade into silence once again. We have been given a few more years in which it will be easy to be a Christian in America. Sure, standing for the values and ideals God laid out long ago may cost us some social standing. That's been the point since the beginning, though, hasn't it? It was Jesus who told us, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first." (John 15:18) and, "You will be hated by everyone because of My name" (Matthew 10:22a). We have to take the time God has given us to learn to truly stand for His truth, no matter what that may cost.

Romans 2:4 tells us that God's kindness is there to lead us to turn away from sin. He has granted us a great kindness with the results of this election, but that kindness has a purpose.

Now is the time to learn to speak up. Not out of an "I told you so" mentality. Instead, out of a desire to bring people to God, to point them to the only One who can bring hope to our nation, the only One who can restore what has been broken. Not to show a "holier than thou" mindset, but but instead out of "been there, done that."

Because, as Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth, we know

"Do you need reminding
that the unjust have no share in the blessings of the kingdom of God?
Do not be misled.
A lot of people stand to inherit nothing of God’s coming kingdom,
including those whose lives are defined by
sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, sexual deviancy,
theft, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling.
Some of you used to live in these ways, but you are different now;
you have been washed clean, set apart, restored,
and set on the right path in the name of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed,
by the Spirit of our living God."
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Did you see that? We are to reach out to the broken, the sinner, the hurting...because we were the same way, but we have been made different. We have been made new not because of anything we've done for ourselves, but solely because of the love and sacrifice of a merciful God.

In this moment, I hope you will join in my prayer:

Dear God,

First, I thank You for Your mercy. We don't deserve Your favor, but I am so incredibly grateful that, over and over again, you don't give us what we deserve. I'm thankful that You are in charge of elections, that You are in control when I like the results and when I don't. Thank You that You have chosen to give our nation a reprieve. Thank You for Your kindness--I pray we won't take it for granted, that we will remember that Your kindness leads us to repentance.

Please forgive me for my part in the downfall of our nation. I'm sorry for the times I've been quiet when I should have spoken up. I'm sorry for the times I should have reached out to someone with Your truth and instead I was too afraid to say something. I'm sorry for the times I've been more worried about what people think about me than what You think about me. I'm sorry for the times that I should have stepped out in faith, and instead I chose to stay in the safety of the boat.

Please show me how to take advantage of the opportunity You've given us. Help me to know when to speak. Help me to care more about what You think of me than what people around me think. Please show me the role I should play, the area in which I can have an impact for You. Help me to live my life in such a way that those around me will have reason to ask what gives me hope, what makes me see things so differently. God, I want to represent You well. I don't want to waste the opportunity You've given me. Help me to guide my kids to You, to point to You in everything, to make Your word a natural part of my conversations. Help me to play my part in the future of our nation, even though my role may be small. Help me to learn to stand for You in the next few years while doing so is easy, so that in the future I'll be able to stand for You when it is hard, when it will cost more than just social standing.

As we move forward, I pray that as Your children we will be different. In the world of politics, let us stand out. Let us show others Your forgiveness and Your mercy, knowing that You are the ultimate Judge and You will ensure justice. I pray for those we have just elected. I pray they will seek You first, and that if they don't know You, You will place people in their lives who will lead them to You. Please give them wisdom and guide their decisions. I pray You will give them the courage to stand for what is right instead of just what is popular.