The Best Reasons to Celebrate

By: American Decency Staff

A few weeks before the presidential election, I thought ahead to my family’s upcoming Thanksgiving celebration.

By God’s grace, we’re mostly on the same page ideologically: we’re Christians and we’re conservatives, and every year we typically go around the table expressing something we’re thankful to God for.

To my own shame, I wondered if we might have a hard time being thankful on a Thanksgiving Day three weeks after the election – an election which, at that time, was considered by most to be a sure win for Hillary Clinton.

Now, the readers of this newsletter know the concerns surrounding Hillary Clinton, and specifically the threat to religious freedom which she posed. However, had Mrs. Clinton won, I would hope that we would all have thankful hearts that we are ever in God’s good hands, fulfilling His good purpose.

We would have much to be thankful for no matter how the election had turned out, but here are a few things I am especially thankful for post 2016 election.

First of all, I’m obviously thankful that Hillary Clinton is not president. Enough ink has been spilled decrying the many scandals and the rampant corruption that surrounds this woman. Specifically, I am most thankful that her radical stance on abortion was (pun alert) trumped by the voters.

Secondly, I’m very thankful that our next president has solid Christians in his administration who will have direct influence on his decisions. President-elect Trump’s lack of government experience may cause concern for some, but in its own way, it may be a blessing for people
of our ideological bent. Trump must rely on the advice of those close to him, and by naming Mike Pence as head of his transition team, he appears to be placing his trust in a staunch Christian and conservative.  Trump also owes his presidency to the religious right, which gives me hope that we will have his ear throughout his administration.

Lastly, politically speaking, I am thankful for the number of times I’ve heard those people whose candidate won say, “we still need God.”  If this election has taught us anything, it’s that many Americans have far too much faith in a president’s power to save or destroy this nation. It was evident in the extreme supporters of both candidates, and I think if we’re honest with ourselves, it’s crept into the hearts of even the most cynical third-party voter. The election of a Christian sympathizer does not mean America, or the church in America, will be saved from all of its woes. We are in desperate need of repentance, and not just for the obvious sins committed by “others” like abortion and homosexuality, but for our own individual sins – including not being loving towards those “others.” I am thankful that I am hearing Christians acknowledge this need for repentance and dependency on God, and I hope we keep hearing it, no matter what kind of president Trump turns out to be.

As a conservative who tends to vote Republican, I have much to be thankful for this year, but God’s greatest blessings would be there regardless of who won the election.

No president can take away peace and hope that is rooted in the sovereignty of God.

It’s more likely to be by coincidence than by design that the holiday season begins so soon after each election, but regardless, it gives a golden opportunity to shift our focus from politics to other things that matter at least as much.

Politics and the election have dominated the conversation for the past year and a half, at least. There have been debates and campaign speeches about what we need as a nation and individually, but Thanksgiving is about gratitude to God for things we have. Tensions have run high, relationships have been bruised and broken, but Christmas is about unity under the kingship of Christ: peace on earth, good will from God towards man.

We’ve elected our next president, now let’s celebrate the coming of the King.

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