It’s over and yet just begun. Campaigns are either turning over to close, or transitioning to carry out their elected mandate. The political advertisement commercials will cease as will the phone calls. Banners and signs will slowly be taken down. It is now time to move forward in the light of a future tomorrow.

We have an elected President in Donald Trump. Wow. Yes, The Donald or Mr. Trump will be POTUS. Trump will be President of the entire nation, whether persons voted for him or not. There is much work to be done on all sides, including the media, to help facilitate environments for healing and unity. Is this possible? Indeed, unifying our nation will be a process if it is possible.

Now is not a time to revolt but to respect. Those who feel disenfranchised or like their voice was not heard can take time to reflect and even grieve if needed. However, I would encourage you to stay at the table for dialogue and deeds needed to work toward common goals for the good of our nation. All citizens, Christians especially, are called to submit (Romans 13:1), honor (1Peter 2:17) and pray for (1Timothy 2:1-2) the President and our world. Pray that Trump-Pence will lead America with an “upright heart and skillful hand” (Psalm 78:72). Can you imagine the gravity of being the President at such a time as this? There are immediate decisions to be made morally, militarily, economically, and not to mention politically. We must all consider the gravity of every decision and pray boldly for God’s kingdom will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). And we should pray with the contentment of God’s sovereignty that “the kings heart is in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

The U.S. has a moral crisis and not just a political one. The election results may be statements about the former presidency, Washington gridlock, economic challenges, or nationalism. However, the moral crisis of our nations views on life, gender, race, family, poverty, and more are a shaky foundation.

The modern worldview has changed at a rapid pace apart from any moral foundation. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3) A glance at the history of civilizations can see the comparisons for the fall of empires that declined morally and spiritually. Where is America headed? What will become of the next generations?

The horrific injustice of murdering babies through abortion continues at an astronomical rate. This is no political game, it is life – LIFE. Believers should pray and participate in earnest for the cause of the pro-life movement. The potential to nominate Supreme Court and other court justices with a mindset to uphold the Constitution and rights for life may be very influential. Yet, laws do not change hearts. Our hope must be in the only one who can forgive and form new hearts through the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

Christians must also realize they cannot degrade and dehumanize those they are called by the Lord Jesus to disciple. We cannot reach those we resent. Perhaps we need to return to the cross to remind ourselves the source of any boasting. Jesus did not die for a political system or to save a country. People matter to God because every one of them (Democrats, Republicans, all in between including those not citizens of U.S.A.) were made in His image. So, let us get a grip and reflect grace in our words, social media posts, and the like, to be edifying and constructive (Ephesians 4:29).

One of the most practical applications we can all implement is to listen to others. Let us look at others in the eye and ask questions to learn from those who are different and disagree with us. Let us empathize and work to make things better for everyone in our neighborhoods and across our nation. There can be valid points of disagreement, religious liberty, and social diversity and still have unity within a flourishing nation. Revival starts slow locally not swift nationally. Christians, let us wake to the depth of God’s compassion and desire for His kingdom to be joyfully full. We may question if we can respect each other or seek to run over each other with force, violence, and bloodshed. Prayerfully, we can come together and overcome past stains and sins.

In all, Jesus reminds us that politics are important but not primary when He said, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25). Our circumstances are covered with dim shadows but not complete darkness. Hope is on the horizon because God is still on the throne. God is not dependent upon political victories or popular opinions. Hope and salvation are not in governing authorities that pass with public elections but are steadfast in an “everlasting kingdom” (Daniel 4:3). “[W]e are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28); “we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21)

Jesus will win the culture war overwhelmingly when His time is right. However, until that time, as God’s people we have a mission from our King to proclaim the life-changing, soul-stirring, glory-marveling good news of Jesus Christ. The church’s power is in the promises of the gospel which are unwavering and unfailing. And because the gospel is powerful enough to save and cleanse from the domination of sin, that means we must go beyond clichés and pat political answers. We must dig deeply into the Word of God to understand it rightly and then proclaim it with our lips and promote Jesus with our lives. In other words, Christians should place greater emphasis and energy, time, talent and treasure into saving the lost (Luke 19:10) than on saving a country. The Christian’s mission is far greater than a single country but extends internationally to “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)