A pastor’s take on Trump

Is Trump good for America? I mentioned Sunday that I would speak on this next week. Unfortunately, I felt I was shoehorning this topic into my planned message.  To properly present what I want to speak on Sunday, I may have to leave the Donald out of it!  Let me take a minute for those that wonder and give some thoughts. When I first heard that Donald Trump was entering the race last year, I told my wife that I felt that it was a good thing for the party and America. I knew that he was not a "saint," but I knew that he would be like a bull in a china shop. He is a disrupter and I believe America could use a fresh thinker especially in the political arena.  I didn't think he would get the nomination, but felt it would shake up politics as usual. I was correct on the shaking up part.

Lance Wallnau likens him to a biblical Cyrus. Someone who is dynamically used of God even though not perceived by many as a God follower. God has used many people in history that I would probably not like or agree with. I’m not sure I would have liked the disciples, or David, or Moses. Somehow, God did not seem compelled to consult with me!

I have always liked Winston Churchill.  He is seen as one of the greatest national leaders in the 20th century. Last year, I had the privilege of going through the War Museum in London. Winston is a key feature. His life is controversial. He was not always celebrated as a great leader.  He was a bombastic, cigar smoking, at times crude, even misogynistic leader. It is alleged that he told off color stories to his children before bedtime!  A woman once told him he was disgustingly drunk.  His response was "My dear, you are disgustingly ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly!"

        

There are many websites that discuss the outlandish comments and activities of this great world leader. He had exactly what was needed to stop Hitler at the Channel, to rouse a nation to never give up and to partner with America to find final victory in Europe.  You wouldn't want him as your pastor, maybe not even your father, but he was the right leader for that moment in England's history.  Such a brazen man that would go up to the roof of his quarters in central London and smoke cigars as Hitler’s air force bombed all around him. I’m not sure I would have voted for him....but he was the right man.

I think it would be awesome to have a righteous leader,that understood the intricacies of the economy, health care, defense, immigration, with great sensitivity to religious institutions, a heart for the poor, a vision for the future. If that leader was a praying person, formidable in the word of God and loved the local church, I would rejoice!  I do not think that is the choice we will have in November.

Instead....we will look for someone who is imperfect, yet will fit the times we are living in. Particularly, that ‘whoever’ we vote for, it will be someone who might possibly have the opportunity to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices. That will shape our culture in America for the next 30 years or more...radically. The America of our grandchildren could be very different....and that may not be good.  We cannot stay still.  A non-vote is a passive vote for a direction we may regret.

So....is Donald Trump good for America? I honestly believe that he has been already.  He has shaken the political system.  Do his comments offend me?  At times. Do I agree with all he says?  Not at all.  Is he a “Cyrus” that is being raised up by God to preserve America?  Time will tell.

This I know.  I will vote for the best chance for America. I will pray for our leaders as I have already.  In the end....God will continue to be my source and my hope.  I do believe that God has had a hand in America's history. I hope He also will have a hand in its future.

The only reason government wants to be our provider is to also become our master.

William and Virginia Lessmann