Post #14: A Word for our Nation and President-Elect Trump...

God told me in His Word that “…My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.”  (cf. Isaiah 55:18 / NIV)

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Okay, so I’ve had a chance to sit with this election for a while.  I’ve received the results, and I’ve pondered the future.  I’ve also listened to the nation on the news, via organized protests, and on social media.  I’ve heard some who are joyous, terrified, inspired, disheartened, angry, and even some who have just concluded that “it is what it is.” 
 
Hate it or love it, the President-Elect of the United States of America is the Presidential Candidate of the Republican Party, Donald J. Trump.
 
As we consider this very tough race and the reality of its aftermath, there are a few facts that we can’t avoid.  Points that are extremely telling about the state of our nation and, more important, the state of our future.  These facts are as follows:

• FACT:  Both Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump were candidates of great controversy.  However, their controversial status didn’t stop them from receiving their perspective party’s presidential nomination.  
• FACT:  Our new President-Elect ran a campaign that featured several statements loaded with offensive rhetoric.  Nonetheless, half of our nation’s voting populace felt this wasn’t “bad enough” to keep him out of the White House. 
• FACT:  After a rigorous and vehement campaign, Hilary Clinton could not galvanize a majority of the electoral vote to defeat Donald Trump.  
• FACT:  Hilary Clinton appears to have (barely) won the majority vote (as of this typing – H. Clinton w/ 59,237,366 and D. Trump w/ 59,133,398).
• FACT:  The razor-thin count of the physical vote proves that the United States is only geographically united because they couldn’t be more politically divided.  
• FACT:  This election brought out the WORST of some within our nation.  
• FACT:  On Friday, January 20, 2017 (unless God says differently), President-Elect Donald J. Trump will complete the transition of power from the 44th President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama.
• FACT:  President-Elect Trump will have the extraordinary task of trying to mend this battered electorate.  
• FACT:  Unless God says differently, the world will continue to revolve after President-Elect Trump is placed into the Oval Office.  

 
So, what should we think?  How should the #PIP community approach these election results? 
 
Well, it’s simple.  Trust God and Be the Change.
 
Here’s what I know.  God is amazing.  I consider the sun, moon, stars, ocean, brain, eagle, and hurricane.  As I consider these, I note them to be the expressions of His Power and Intellect.  I am in awe of His Supremacy, Ingenuity, Perfectness, Acumen, and Foresight. 
 
I am even further amazed when I consider His method of liberating sinful man.  In that, He elected to offer His own Life for us to be saved.  As I ponder that decision, I ask myself, what does that tell me about The Most High?  Well, that’s simple, also.  His Vision transcendence perceived trouble.  My God knows His desired outcome and is willing to permit the hard road to bring about a necessary resolution. 
 
I’ve trusted Him in my mother’s death, my first and second combat deployments, my family’s first and second miscarriages, my dad’s biopsy, and a host of other traumas.  And during these, He was Faithful.  He lifted my heart, reassembled the pieces, and gave me what I didn’t think I’d see amidst the circumstances:  understanding.
 
So, how can I lean on Him there and act as if He’s not “lean-worthy” now?  
 
God told me in His Word that “…My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.”  (cf. Isaiah 55:18 / NIV)  He’s clearly informing us that He doesn’t do things the way we would; however, His track record proves that He does wonderfully whatever He does. 
 
Therefore, my faith prompts me to conclude that God is up to something with President-Elect Trump.
 
What’s He doing?  I don’t know.  However, I don’t need to know.  All I need to know is that He knows, and if He knows, that’s enough for me.  My calm isn’t because Trump is on his way to the Oval Office; it’s because God was, is, and will forever be on The Throne.  
 
My Thoughts?  I will do for him what I’ve done for every president who’s held office since my birth and awareness:  I will pray for him and pray for us.  Our nation is bruised, wounded, and divided.  The scars of many under-rug-swept issues are beginning to show national infection.  We need healing, remedy, unity, harmony, community, and most importantly & individually, new hearts. 
 
We must accept that the change we desire to see nationally is first personal, then communal.  
 
Lord, help me first be the national change I want to see.  
 
Still, if I could talk to our President-Elect, if God moved and he read this post on #PIP, I’d say the following:

“Mr. Trump, the stakes couldn’t be any higher, and your next moves couldn’t be any more important.  I urge you to seek counsel from all men—the urban and rural citizens, the Democrats, the Independents, and the Republicans.  I’d urge you to talk with people of all faiths, all races, and all walks of life.  Hear their pain and know that you are their leader too.  Know that there is a man who runs a blog who didn’t give you his vote; however, he will forever give you his prayers.  Be wise, President-Elect Trump, and know your voice can improve or gravely impact our Republic.  The office is yours now, and heavy is the head.”
 
In closing, I don’t know what tomorrow holds; however, I know Who holds tomorrow.  And the One who holds tomorrow also provides Oversight to the Oval Office.  
 
Your thoughts?
 
Imperfectly,
 
Kevin D. Jones, Sr.
(@kevindjonessr)