What an incredibly draining and unpopular election! Some of the polling data was brutal and just showed elements of what made Election Day so unique and painful yesterday. I will have some thoughts on that in the third paragraph, but for now, let’s just look at some of the data without commentary. As I write this (it will change in the days ahead), there were 119M ballots cast on Nov 8, 2016 and our estimated voting population is 227M, so that is a voter turnout of 52.6% (check google, etc for data). This is the lowest number of voters since 2000 (105M) and lowest percentage since then as well (50.3%). This is curious. Key swing states (like Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado and Virginia) saw declines in overall voting numbers and others (Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Florida) saw overall numbers go up. Here you can learn some interesting facts. Trump carried white voters, Clinton carried the minority vote. Trump carried more college+ voters than expected, but saw significant numbers from those without a college degree. Trump carried the independent vote by 6 points. Trump carried the evangelical vote, but I would encourage you to watch this and consider if evangelical even means what it is supposed to mean. I know that this tweet is true, but interesting nonetheless. Also consider this. Service people and those concerned about the direction of the country went towards Trump. The LGBTQ community and those doing better economically today as well as those feeling the economy is healthy went with Clinton. Trump carried the Protestant and Catholic vote. I could go on, but most telling was that only 42% of those voting for Trump did so because they felt strongly for their candidate, and nearly half of all voters had reservations and 51% of those voting for Trump did so because they disliked the other candidate.

What do we make of all of this? Last night seemed to be more about the general malaise of voting in America. Many voted because they believed in the “lesser of two evils.” Others chose not to vote because they did not like the options. Third party numbers did not get close to early projections. The early prognostication of Hillary winning may have kept people away. The general dissatisfaction with the media/establishment seems to have influenced people as well. Some voted (religious people) due to the belief that Trump will appoint conservative justices. Others just wanted change. Articles like this feel tone-deaf, reactionary and incomplete. It is unclear yet whether people voted to reject a black man (or his policies). It is unlikely that people rejected a woman (as much as people rejected an unlikable candidate that represents the establishment). I have yet to see data on this question, “would you ever vote for a woman?” or “would you ever vote for a black man?” I am sure that if the policies lined up, everyone from a party would jump on board. They got behind Trump…   Further, of course there are racist bigots in this country who vote accordingly. This does not equate an entire party, nation or people group. The fact that some unsavory characters supported Trump – well, there are unsavory characters on both sides of the fence. People may have just wanted change that bad – similar to what brought Obama to office eight years ago (#notmypresident makes a comeback and is still unpatriotic). The rural vote seems to have won the day. Trump may not have been likable either, but he was different. Unfortunately, that is not a good reason to choose a candidate, and everyone just may get what they wanted – change. It could backfire, but will not likely collapse. If the republic has survived a civil war, assassinations, etc, it can handle a character like Trump. The blue House and Senate will likely keep things in order (he can’t stray too far from party lines) – though red won’t like it. This is hardly surprising – it follows little trends and keeps with the yo-yo we’ve seen for decades. No one is in power too long. Let’s see it for what it is – a desire to change the establishment and the media calling an election too early, which may have affected voter turnout. It is ironic that so many believe the media is trying to control things and they ultimately did – with a converse effect!

What made yesterday so painful? There was so much tied into this election. Some felt compelled to stand up for unborn children and did so by voting for someone they are afraid may be a monster. Others feel the media is slandering a man that deserves a fair chance. Others are angered and hurt today that the country let them down. This paragraph could be written inversely and still be true. We are divided for sure. The fundamental divide here is one that we can get through, but we have to decide to work together. Working with the other party should not mean career suicide. We must find some common ground. Further, here are some things that are just true:

We must be careful to blend a candidate with one’s faith too closely.

Brash and bombastic does not equate honesty. We must be careful what we wish for.

Words and actions matter and are an indication of one’s integrity – Trump worries me.

The world is watching us closely all the time – we must be aware.

1/6 of the nation voted for Trump, under 1/2 of the voting population.

We are called to pray for our leaders – both the winners and those who fell short.

We are called to serve our nation and work hard to show Christ in all we do.

Power looks bad on Christians. We can’t legislate morality. We aren’t very successful at accomplishing what we want with the culture’s approval. Those following Jesus are a minority and likely always will be (narrow road). We will be unpopular – but we can reach out and make things okay.

With that said, politics is important, but not an end-all. Our leaders need us, but should never be fully trusted. They are not saviors, but flawed humans who are going to run a nation. May we serve alongside them well. The election is over, the next four years start January 20. May we grow through this and up – and that was true no matter who won today!