When I found out that Donald Trump was elected president, I was sitting in a church in a village in India with my teammates playing Skip-Bo. We were waiting for the kids that we would soon be playing games and singing songs with to get out of school. It’s a moment I know I will never forget. In the wake of my disappointment, my teammates, Steph and Teagan, and I had some really good discussions, and I’m thankful for their wisdom. One really important thing they said is that though we don’t agree with him on so many levels, we still shouldn’t wish failure upon him. After all, he is the president-elect of our country and therefore, I will choose to respect him. I do want the best for our country, and I will continue to pray. (Just wanted to make this clear before we move forward to the rest of what I have to say.)
In the moment, I was pretty overwhelmed with feelings. For one, the fact that I couldn’t be home to really see the reaction of the country to this outcome was difficult. For another, the only things that I could think of were the comment after comment made by Donald Trump against so many minorities.
Now that I’ve had a few days to process, I wanted to share how I am somehow positive about Trump being the president-elect.
It’s because in the place of hate, now the Church has the opportunity to show even more love than ever before.
1) Trump alluded to Mexican immigrants as rapists and has claimed to plan on building the infamous wall.
Let’s specifically remind those of Mexican heritage that they are loved, welcomed, and important, because they are children of God.
As I was listening to a podcast about Democracy the other day, there was a woman speaking on immigration. She said, “You’re scared that I’m going to take your place at the table. I’m scared that I’m never going to get a place at the table.” This comment breaks my heart. Not only are there so many individuals who hope to achieve dreams that we all deserve to have in America, but also there are children across the United States, especially in my home state of Texas who fear of being deported because they hear their parents speak of that fear. What’s sad to me is that this could be legitimate. Instead of fearing losing our place at the table, I hope as the Church we would remember that the table has room for all, and the feast of our inheritance from above is endless.
2) Trump said he wanted to ban all Muslims and even alluded to shutting down mosques already in our country.
Let’s show the peace that passes all understanding that comes from Christ to those we encounter along with the basic decency and respect owed to all humans. If we live in a country with freedom of religion, then it doesn’t just stop with Christianity, it is for all, and in doing so, we extend love and grace, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
3) At Baylor this week, a black female student was shoved off the sidewalk, called a completely unacceptable slur, and then told, “I’m just trying to make America great again.” While this comment wasn’t made by Trump himself, this situation is obviously correlated with the campaign.
In response to this, church, let’s join together (like many students did, and it brings joy to my heart), and specifically call out the injustice that was displayed, is displayed, and unfortunately, will continue to be displayed, and come alongside those who are victimized. We MUST take a stand again racism of every kind, because it still so blatantly exists in our country.
4) Finally, time after time, Trump has made misogynistic and appalling remarks about women.
This is a place where I so desperately hope to see the church surge in growth over the next few years. The church itself has been a place that all too often denies women opportunities to be all that God has created them to be. In light of this, and in light of the mindset of our president-elect who has openly mocked women for their physical appearance and has had allegations of sexual assault against him, what better time for the church to take a stand for the empowerment of women? Women are strong, capable, intelligent, powerful— and all of these beautiful traits were created by God, for God, and in the image of our almighty God. I dream of how drastically different the church could look when compared with the remarks of Trump, and I keep dreaming with great hope and joy from the Lord for the days to come.
Essentially, I truly believe it’s time for the church to step up. Jesus loves us all, and I believe salvation is for every single person who calls on the name of the Lord to be saved. I also believe that with the beauty of salvation and the sanctification of the Spirit, we are able to become more and more like Jesus. As we do, may we extend the same love he did to the broken, the outcast, and even the lying tax collectors— and as we do these, may it never be for our gain, but may the Lord give us discernment to truly care for those He deeply cares for in our world.
The quote from Michelle Obama, saying, “When they go low, we go high,” reminds me quite a bit of the commandment from Jesus to turn the other cheek. Rather than stooping lower to combat bullies, may we rise above and know that our reward is great in heaven. That is the call for us as individual followers of Christ, and I pray that we can all take on this mindset. However, for women, those of various races, and those of various religions who have suffered the remarks made by Trump, some of his followers, and hate groups all over, we, as followers of Christ, should be willing to speak out and say that’s not what Christ would say, and that’s not how Christ would live. It is not our job to speak for them, but always, always to fight for space so that they may speak for themselves. Things can change, and it’s our job to love our neighbor as ourselves by always wanting better for them.
Where so many have been silenced, I see now that it’s time they received a voice. And who better to give it to them then Jesus Christ himself, and where better than in His holy house?
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:31-40
