Let’s Make America Great Again

Let’s make America great again. 

The new President of the United States, Donald Trump, ran his campaign under this slogan, meant to provoke an emotional response during this election season. And I suppose it worked as he is now our new President.

But if our response ends on election day, if we think one man can make America great for us, then we risk missing a beautiful opportunity.

I want to be clear, this is not a blog to support Donald Trump. Nor is it a blog to degrade him. This is not a blog to support Hillary Clinton, nor is it meant to degrade her. There has been far too much negative rhetoric surrounding both candidates this election.

Donald Trump has been elected and there is nothing we can do to change that. But neither are we powerless.

From those who wished to see Hillary elected, one of the biggest laments I have seen, read, or heard is something to this effect: “We are about to have four years full of hate, racism, and backsliding.” 

Why? 

I will not defend the character of Donald Trump; I can’t in good conscience. But I will defend the character of the American people. One man, even if he is the President, does not determine the actions of the masses.

We, both individually and collectively, are responsible for what our country looks like. We must all decide for ourselves. I cannot control who is President. Not with the election over. But I can control the words that come out of my mouth or from my social media platforms. I cannot control the views and biases of Donald Trump. But I can control my own.

Donald Trump is our President. But I am not responsible for his actions. And I thank God for that. But even if he was of the most commendable character we would be in the same position. One man cannot make America great again. No one can change everything.

But everyone can change something.

It’s wonderful to talk about love and change during this time, as many of us are doing on Facebook and other places, but let’s stop talking. 

You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:16

What fruit are we bearing? Not what words are we saying, but what is our fruit? And if it isn’t good then we need to reevaluate our own lives.

Donald Trump will not make America great again.

We will.