Well, the 2024 election is finally over. Donald Trump was elected President with a majority of the Electoral College as well as the popular vote. And Dave McCormick defeated Bob Casey right here in Pennsylvania. The American electorate has spoken.
Of course, our personal react to the results differ depending on the ones we supported and the values we hold. I mean, on one hand, many are euphoric, agreeing with President-elect Trump that we’re about to enter a golden age. On the other hand, there are almost as many who are dejected and afraid that, if the new president does what he promised, the country they pass on to their children will be seriously diminished. In other words, for some, heaven is coming to earth while for others, we’re knowingly entering the apocalypse. Of course, given the rhetoric that came from both sides and our very modern tendency to receive news exclusively from sources that reinforce what we already believe whether it’s accurate or not, this discrepancy of response is hardly surprising.
But because the response has been so dramatic, maybe it’s time for us all to do three things intentionally we’ve haven’t done recently. For example, first, maybe it’s time for us to look forward so that we can recognize and address the challenges that lay in the future. In other words, instead of dwelling on past disappointments and slights, maybe we should claim the responsibilities we now have and the opportunities we can now see. In a sense, it’s looking forward with the same kind of confidence and faith that Jeremiah expressed when, speaking the words from God, he wrote, “I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering.” [Jeremiah 29:11, CEV] You see, now that it’s over, we can look forward.
And second, maybe we should decide to work together. Now, I understand that putting aside personal assumptions and prejudices have become an anathema in our society. And we’ve been groomed to see anyone who disagrees with us as not only wrong but also as the enemy, even the spawn of Satan. But that’s the case only because we’ve bought what our own sources of information have sold us and decided to accept their commercially-driven lies as truth. You see, we can buck the cultural trend and check our weapons at the door, so that we might draw together our unique skills and abilities and create a whole that’s greater than the parts. And in that way, we’re accomplishing the words offered by the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews when he said this: We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer. [Hebrew 10:24-25, CEV] Now that it’s over, we can work together.
And finally, maybe we should reclaim our focus. A few days ago, on Veterans Day, we remembered those who served in the military, and when you think about it, their service is actually about focus. You see, they had the ability to the focus on something greater than themselves, and that guided their actions. And we can all do the same. As Americans, we can focus on the principles that made this country great: justice, equity, compassion, and liberty. And as Christians, we can claim that two-fold command offered by Jesus Christ himself when he said this: "People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." The second most important commandment says: "Love others as much as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is more important than these." [Mark 12:29b-31, CEV] Now that it’s over, we can reclaim our focus.
We’ve made it through the election, And God willing, we’ll have another in two years and another in two years and so on and so on. And during those coming election, people will feel passionate about candidates and causes. And they will fight for their side. And after it’s over, some will be happy while others sad. That’s the way it’s been for almost 250 years and hopefully will be 250 years from now. But that’s not relevant today. Today we need to decide how we’re going to face tomorrow, something that I believe we can effectively do when we decide to look forward, to work together and to reclaim our focus. And although I wouldn’t have written this two weeks ago, I think this is possible, now that it’s over.
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