Why It's All Going to be OK

Well… that was not what I expected.

Of course, I’m talking about the election, because really, who wasn’t watching that last night?

There are a lot of disappointed people on both sides. Many Christians—including good friends of mine—would be deeply disappointed regardless of who won the election last night (and with good reason). Neither candidate is morally praiseworthy, as so many think pieces (and, let’s be honest: the candidates themselves) have gone to great lengths to illustrate.

And now, here we are. One of them is the President Elect. And it appears to be Donald Trump (unless something radically shifted between my writing and my publishing of this piece).

Much ink (digital and otherwise) has been spilled over this man, and I’m not going to bother rehashing anything, because it doesn’t matter. He’s the man the American people chose.

I’ve seen fears tweeted that the poor, Americans identifying as LGBT, Muslims, and a host of others are going to be in jeopardy. That those who need medical assistance are going to be in danger. That the economy is going to go into the toilet. World War Three might have even begun already for all we know.

At the same time, I know there are a lot of Christians who felt backed into a corner, trying to find a way to vote according to at least some of their values, and not violate their consciences. Some couldn’t see a better option, and chose to vote for the candidate (or rather, the party) they believe most likely to put some restraint on abortion, offer some sort of protection of religious liberty, and maybe offer a better solution to the legitimate healthcare problems Americans face than the Affordable Care Act provides.

Whether any of that happens or not, who can say. They could, but I’m undecided on whether or not any will (whether things I’m for or against).

There are a lot of things that could be said. In fact, there are lot of things that WILL be said. But what I keep coming back to is this: It’s going to be okay.

Really.

You know why? Because nothing’s really all that different.

We still live in a culture that is increasingly anti-Christianity (and not just anti-Christian). Many of us live in communities where people have never met a Christian at all. People don’t know what we’re all about. Many don’t care. But that’s okay because nothing is different.

The world hasn’t changed overnight. And our mission hasn’t changed, either.

We’re still to be salt and light in the world. We’re to go to work today and glorify God in it. We’re to show love and compassion as Ambassadors for Christ, regardless of the political and cultural climate. We’re to pray for the leaders of our nations, knowing that they’ve been placed there by God according to his purposes.

Even if we neither know nor like what those purposes may be.

Don’t let fear distract you. Your LGBT and Muslim neighbors might be feeling it, too. Your conservative and liberal friends may be feeling it, also. And they need to casts the one who casts out fear: His name is Jesus.

This article was originally published at BloggingTheologically.com. Used with permission.

Aaron Armstrong is a writer, speaker, and blogger. He is the author of several books including Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, the New Creation and the End of Poverty. His writing has been seen on Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's For the Church blog, The Gospel Coalition, ExploreGod.com, ChurchLeaders.com, BlueLetterBible.org, and a number of other websites. To learn more, please visit BloggingTheologically.com.

Publication date: November 11, 2016

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