Donald J. Trump is the President Elect of the United States of America.  That is the news of this day, Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

Some are elated and some are astounded but it’s safe to say all are wondering what lies ahead.  There are many questions still unanswered.  What does the new government of the greatest nation on the face of the earth look like?  Will the most animated personality of our President Elect continue to transform into humility, grace and respect as it has over the last few months?  What’s it like to have a President that has never served in any government or military capacity?  Can the nation put one of the most mind-blowing elections behind it and move forward together as one?

While important questions could be listed endlessly, what transcends the weight of those inquiries is the fact that this election season has now come to an end.  The rallies are over.  The campaign work is done.  The ballots have been cast and and it’s time to move on.

Many in this country are excited and elated today as they ponder the fact that they won.  Others are hopeless and devastated because they’re trying to figure out what just happened.  But, more important than our division, is our common ground.  As Americans, we must remember what has made this country great over the last 240 years.  We have chosen to build this nation on the principles of freedom, liberty, faith in God, conviction and the pursuit of a better life for all.

I must admit that I’ve had my reservations about President Elect Donald Trump.  But today is a new day and I believe that, once our new President has been elected, every American has the responsibility to commit themselves to faithfully honor and respect, not only the man, but the office that he fills.  Regardless of party affiliation, now is the time for all Americans to remember what makes us who we are.  We are better than hatred.  We are better than revenge.  We are better than allowing ourselves to reach a depth of intolerance where friendships are destroyed and families are ravaged by political beliefs.

Many have detested the Presidency of Barack Obama.  As a Christian pastor who values religious liberty and the principles built upon by our founding fathers, there are many things that I have disagreed with our President on.  Nevertheless, I’ve consistently believed since 2008 that every American held the God-given responsibility to pray for the sitting President and the leader of the free world and ask God to grant him or her wisdom and knowledge as they bear the weight of the most daunting position on the planet.  Many believed that President Obama would be the death of the republic and destroy the fabric of American life.  Yet, eight years later, here we are.  Things could be definitely be better but they could most certainly be worse.

Now is no different.  While I’ve disagreed with comments and attitudes that Donald Trump has expressed, he is now MY President and, if you love this country and the freedoms we enjoy, he is now YOUR President.  Abraham Lincoln said, “Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”  That is a powerful basis for commitment and dedication to others.  That is my commitment to our President ELect.

There is absolutely no way that we will all agree with President Trump on everything.  There are countless numbers of press conferences, major decisions, foreign relations moves and policy changes in our future.  However, as Americans, it is our duty to honor and respect our leader.

Our nation is divided.  Our economy is flailing.  Our debt is astronomical.  Our system is flawed.  But, through prayer and proper order, order that our nation has used to establish progress and efficiency for over two centuries, I believe that there are better days ahead.  We are not servants to the President.  The President is a servant of the people.  Still, it is our responsibility to make our voices heard and stand for righteousness as God leads us by His Spirit.  We must believe that, as we pray, God will grant wisdom and knowledge to our President and give Him sound understanding as it relates to his responsibilities as leader of the free world.

Congratulations, President Trump!  We stand with you and we are praying for you!

Through faith in God, fulfilling our duty to respect and honor the President and making a conscious decision to respect and honor our fellow man, better days will come.  It’s time to heal.  It’s time to love and support our fellow Americans, even in disagreement.  It’s time to set aside party affiliation and embrace the freedom and liberty that we’re founded on.  It’s time to put our faith in God, not in politicians.  Hillary is not the answer.  President Elect Donald Trump is not the answer.  Jesus is still the answer.  When we wrap our minds around that fact, we’ll make America great again.