Our nation is in desperate need of unity. As a follower of Jesus, I’ve accepted that we’ll never achieve that full unity. It’s difficult to realize it. I don’t know what’s going to happen with the upcoming presidential election. I don’t even know where I stand on certain political issues or how to respond to the comments or policies the candidates or throwing out. But I do know one thing for absolute certain- Jesus has called me to love all people and be a light in this world.

With this election, it has sprung so much hate from so many different areas. Turning people against each other, turning families against one another, best friends, co-workers, you name it. I understand every case isn’t this extreme, and everyone has disagreements, but the extremity of this particular election is that everyone feels passionately hateful towards one candidate or maybe even both. Many Americans feel as if we can’t win, and our nation is going downhill no matter who ends up in the oval office. It’s important to have your own opinion and be strong in it. However, it’s even more important to be respectful to others about their opinions. This country is becoming more and more hateful because of a lack of respect and love. It makes me sick to stomach seeing people constantly arguing, especially because many people are uninformed or misinformed. I think our duty as citizens is to be informed and vote according to our opinions. But here’s where it gets tricky for me. Because my duty as a follower of Jesus Christ is to love on all people and follow His word.

Ultimately, God is the one who is in control. “The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.” -Psalm 103:19. What we need right now more than ever is prayer. We need to prayer for our potential leader, whomever it may be, and pray that he or she will be led in the right direction. We need to pray for the person we’ve been arguing with and the relationship that could be at stake. Pray for the friend who keeps tweeting against Hillary Clinton. Pray for the friend who keeps tweeting against Donald Trump. Pray for your family and their views. Pray for Donald Trump. Pray for Hillary Clinton. Everyone. Needs. Prayer. It doesn’t matter whom you agree with or disagree with, we know that as Christians, we are called to LOVE THEM. I know that I easily forget this, especially when I see a tweet that makes me want to rip someone’s head off. We’re human. I’m constantly reminding myself to be in the world and not of the world.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” If that’s not an election motto, I don’t know what is. Because I know that in this life, my goal every day is to be living and loving as Jesus did. For some reason, this is where a line gets drawn- between God and politics. It begins with us, and we CAN mesh them together. It sounds impossible, but guess what? With God, nothing is. God is ultimately sovereign, and I believe this election is in His hands. He will take care of us because we are His children, and He has a plan.

The biggest and most beautiful thing about Jesus- He is all-forgiving and will always offer us grace. No matter what sin or how much, He will always be there with open arms. So whether you are pro-life, remember that a woman who had an abortion still has the grace of God available to her the same way you and I do. If you’ve sexually assaulted someone, the grace of our Lord is still available to you. Latinos, muslims, LGBTQs, Syrian refugees, sexual assault victims, whites, blacks, shorts, talls, girls, boys, blondes, brunettes- Jesus gives all of His children the same gracious love and mercy. And He has given us the privilege to represent Him in this world by showing it to each other. Now, it’s our time to follow through, pray and spread love.