Who stands on the pedestal when election day comes? When we head to the polls in the upcoming elections, this question should be at the front of our mind. If we start looking to people, particularly one person who has limited time and power in office, as the hope of our country, we have crossed from civic duty to idolatry, and that is disastrous and sinful. Christians should not be known for the political sides, or for their presidential candidate of choice. For those of us who claim to follow Christ, we should be identified by our love for our neighbors(Christian and non-Christian people) and our love for each other (our church).

When Trump announced his run for presidency, it shocked me to hear so many Christians claim that Trump would save the US. Furthermore, it shocks me that people are “prophesying” that Trump will be president again. When people start throwing the word prophecies around, that is when we need to dive into the bible the most and ask for discernment. Trump is a vile man, and while God does use sinners to sometimes aid his people, Trump is not worthy of our praise. If you would not trust the man with your wife or daughter or as the leader of a church, why trust him as president and claim he is the savior of our nation.

I realize I am picking on Trump and his followers a lot, but this is the best example of political idolatry available in my lifetime of voting. The fact that I can use the word “followers” should be a hint to the sign of idolatry.

I know a lot of people are upset at the results of the Trump v. Biden election, but he lost. It may not seem fair to many, but it is what happened. Romans 13 explains that leaders are chosen for a reason and that they are used to serve God’s will for the nation and his people. Before someone argues that Paul could not possibly understand what we are going through, remember that the emperor of Rome at the time of Paul’s writing was Nero; this was the same Nero that would blame the burning of Rome on the Christians and commit all kinds of horrors upon the Church. As the church, we need to trust God with who our president is and vote trusting in Him, not the candidate a party tells us can save our country.

Finally, we should not be afraid to vote for the opposing party or even the third party if their candidate(s), not just presidential, are better qualified for their job than the candidate “your” side puts forth. Believe it or not, there are true Christian Democrats, just like there are false Christian Republicans. So please, any time a vote takes place, vote out of love for God, love for the Church, love for our neighbors, and love for this country. I put love of country last because ultimately, this country will fall, but the Kingdom of God is eternal.