Most Americans would say that our current political outlook is a mess. Our country is in an era of transition, and the potential leaders we have to take charge of that change do not provide most people with an outlook of positivity or excitement. It can be easy to become discouraged and heavy-hearted, purposely excluding oneself from current events, but Christians need to be looking at this election differently than the rest of society, through the lens of God’s Word.

Regardless of the different political stances Christians take, we should all agree on one thing: God is present in this election cycle, and He has been aware that our 2016 election would look like it does since before the concept of elections even existed. God has not provided us these candidates to mock our intelligence, to curse our country or to encourage us in our pessimism. Rather, God recognizes the needs of our great country, and we need to remember that His sovereignty reigns over all things, including “crooked” and “crazy” presidential candidates.

Esther 4:14b states, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Perhaps we could interpret this as, “And who knows but that you have come to your presidential candidacy for such a time as this?” God, infinite and autonomous, has presented America with Trump, Clinton and third-party candidates for a purpose.

Perhaps this verse could also be interpreted as, “And who knows but that you have come to be a voter in this election for such a time as this?” It is impossible for humans to be uninvolved in the created world, but how we become involved is our own decision. God grants each human free will. Let us use that to glorify Him.

Along with Esther, this election cycle is reminiscent of the story of Joseph. Unpleasant circumstances, much like Joseph being sold as a slave, surround our decisions. These conditions, however, are going to result in positive changes. We might not see these changes. In fact, whichever candidate is elected might screw our country up more than we care to admit. Perhaps in the next four years we will have experienced wars, cyberattacks, recessions, and abhorrent amounts of discrimination. This is all speculative and unknown. Thankfully, though, I do not have to focus on these tentative circumstances, but rather the good that is going to be bestowed upon us despite these negative situations. My surety and confidence in the Supreme Judge reminds me that the drought will end. Something positive will come from our next President, although perhaps these improvements will not be seen until the new creation.

Unite, fellow Christians, and pray for the future of this country. God has put us in this position “for such a time as this.”