Providentially, I was in Africa for arguably the most significant political election of my lifetime and perhaps all of America’s democracy. Our country was on the eve of voting for the presidency of either Kamala Harris or Donald J. Trump for the next four years of office. The world was watching and beyond, curious about the outcome. Countries around the globe are greatly invested in our election results and how they directly affect the international stage at large. I now have a profoundly new perspective regarding the stewardship of our country to the rest of the world, especially developing countries such as Zambia. When various people asked me with great curiosity who I thought would win the election, I began to realize the real-life implications for the outcome. First, people in the Third World were concerned about the basic survival needs of natural resources like food, water, and gas. Gas alone had mile-long lines, which the locals called “Being in the Queue” while waiting for gasoline. Gas was shipped to them from the Middle East to be trucked into stations so that driving could continue.   

People filled cars alongside military tanks, and the desperate need at hand made for an atmosphere of edginess everywhere. You would see in the eyes of those around you a look of selfishness to hold their stake within the line of survival, so to speak. Interestingly, though, once they thought they could trust you and you would not run them over with your own will, they gave way. This behavior was, of course, fear-based on whether there would be enough natural resources for all. Though as these villages from halfway around the world went about their daily life, they were all vitally aware of what America was embarking upon. A monumental election that was set on the world stage, and all nations watched; seemingly, all people, near and far, collectively held their breath as they awaited the outcome.    

The event’s gravity captivated the globe and exceeded the availability of gas, oil, water, electricity, and other agricultural food. Deeper fears were at the forefront of everyone’s minds, as they pondered who will be America’s next president. Fears that America had gone too far off the edge to no return to its known definition of being “The Land of the Free.” Would America become the next Brazil where voting and the people’s will does not matter? The world awaited with great anticipation because if America were to fall, who would rise and come alongside her?    

This thought leads most to consider who ultimately wards off evil dictators.  If America was historically the saving grace, who would come if it were to be captured by evil? Africa comprises 54 countries; while not all are highly populated, some are the most populous in the world. With each country within the continent being an entity, there is no unity throughout, especially within unique tribal cultures. We speak of division in our country, but we are far less divided than many African countries. It is common to see African countries declare martial law as they are led by dictators. Therefore, you will see young men and women soldiers posted at barricaded checkpoints, with machine guns in hand, next to high fences laden with barbed wire, and donning face coverings—all to create a constant fear-based, military-empowered atmosphere while keeping tensions high.   

Therefore, by implication, these individual societies were looking for relief from higher governance, and they readily shared that they wanted Trump in office, believing he would provide such relief. Indeed, a president with teeth, so to speak, would hold world leaders accountable and in check. While staying at Best Western in Entebbe, the manager came alongside me to inquire if I should have some inside information about who would be elected.  I was no expert, though this manager was serious about his inquiry. The point here is that this mattered to him and countless others, regardless of the country. One local within a friendly impromptu conversation referenced Biden as the “Sleepy President,” who was never engaged and seldom present. The passing statement contrasted American pride, as we wish for our leader to be on alert, practical, and leading as our seated president.   

An example of the influence of our governance was during COVID-19 when Dr. Anthony Fauci dictated the sole narrative of government shutdowns. In the town centers of Africa, which were the yet developing places of commerce, everyone would gather to see which way the US was going ideologically and governmentally, taking its cues from our country. When we shut down, they shut down, no questions asked. Even though the US application was fear-based, its leadership within the forefront gathered little to no scrutiny and, thus, were taken as fact. These notions of Fauci’s and, therefore, of the US were adopted by African town centers and enforced militarily. The people gathered in these Town Centers for the news; many did not possess personal televisions, computers, or smartphones. Those with such luxury items often do not have reliable internet service, if any. Huge crowds of people were locked in with a TV in a Town Center (imagine a massive flea market with any number of edible goats, chickens, and termites mixed in with the selling of clothes and furniture with about a thousand customers buzzing around by foot or on motorcycles, called “Bota Botas.” Ponder this: should you doubt the influence of our country on Africa, note that almost everyone there has a Bible name.   

This brings me to two separate questions. Should we, as human beings, not be comforted? An equally weighted question follows this: should we as human beings be comforted?  Stewardship is when you understand the election is not solely about conserving or, better yet, making a better future for our grandkids. I began to reflect that perhaps this uncertain juncture in our country’s history was a form of judgment for the seeming allowance of the new and idolized woke culture—a form of correction by God himself.  I became more impassive, ready to absorb the consequences of a digressive culture. To brace and take the discipline that seemed inevitable and at hand, soon to be, or so we feared the government’s hand. Is this not promised to us in the Bible?  ”For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Rom. 1:18). Certainly, and is not this our call to suffer and within such suffering to evangelize? Yes, of course.   

Conservative politics might be cast in this light as selfishness and an unwillingness to accept what is coming and inevitable. However, as I witnessed surprising scenes within African society, I began to formulate a new viewpoint or understanding for the rest of the world, as they look to America as a leader. America holds a position to help and serve the nations by being a strong society. It is important to steward this opportunity and to rejoice that, as a superpower, we can help humankind through God’s will to ultimately bring forth his plans and glorification. This was a world election! An election well beyond the political team to which you proclaimed allegiance. Not about whether you joined the hard-working Hulk Hogan, beer drinkers, or the woke liberals with their brightly colored hair and pick-of-the-day pronouns they “identified” with at any given moment.  It wasn’t about the ever-growing divisiveness on social media platforms where grown adults threw child-sized tantrums about whether their version of the truth was well received. Nor was it about unisex bathrooms or masking versus not masking, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, and on and on. At its core, this fight was a spiritual one of good versus evil. Within any battle, one side fights to prevail. Evil wants to prevail to ultimate power and reign over every man, seeking to win souls for a destiny of Hell.  Though the story has already been written with the ending ever apparent, the Lord himself will come down from the heavens to proclaim his certain victory!  Thus, evil men and dictators are on notice. Your time is short, and your destiny is secured in the one you follow. As for America, may she keep her founder’s precepts and remain true to her anchoring in God and upon the Bible.

There is an egregious error that liberalism teaches. It is that by being open and free in policy, to accommodate illegals coming into our country by keeping our border open to all, we are more compassionate to the world and our fellow man. I often wondered if the same liberal-mindedness that supports open borders would support leaving their own homes open at night or in our absence. Would such an approach not be consistent with the thought of compassion to fellow man, thus allowing anyone to wander into your home as you sleep? The concept is, in fact, the same regardless of whether those who hear it receive the point. The point of our stewardship as a country is that we need to be able to hold evil dictators accountable. We should not be stifled in holding such accountability in speech, nor action; versus being forced to aid in evil and perpetuate it via political liberal activist policies set in place. When Trump made the statement that Russia would not be at war with Ukraine had he been reelected for his second term, it spoke volumes to the fact he believed in his strength of leadership and that he could hold Putin accountable. True or untrue, our nation does not benefit from a passive stance on evil.  Evil must be renounced at all turns and at all costs.  Instead of utilizing an approach of confidence, the previous administration was not just reacting to the world dictators, they were allowing them free reign and even privilege to do as they please.   

Ask yourself which is better: is it more compassionate to be woke or to be conservative? The woke world makes you out to be selfish and uncaring, someone who is racist with no option for repentance and hateful unless you play by specific rules. Everyone should have their equal share (social Marxism), so if you have more, then you are considered someone who is stealing from those who have less. A conservative is a steward of talents, meaning you are looking to advance to make as much as you can personally. While someone who is woke could be considered to be a lazy freeloader, a conservative could be regarded as arrogant and self-seeking. Both categories could equally stray into their version of entitlement. Still, a conservative, in the best case, is someone who uses their God-given talents to advance society and who brings healthy competition that raises the bar of society by pushing others to keep up. If you gain resources, you can share with others; however, sharing is by choice, not a forced ideology. Conservatism based on stewardship is one where you genuinely have the potential to lead by example and by good providence. A nation that is advancing and growing can become the big brother to other countries in need in terms of being an assistant to and protector of and an example for others in the world.   

These types of discussions and thoughts need to be brought to Scripture. Where Scripture confronts greed—which is the fleshly application of self-made entrepreneurialism—Christians should repent. Where Scripture affirms a liberal ideal, such as emphasizing feeding the poor, we should obey the Scripture. When Scripture confronts all the lustful, digressive, and delusional ideals of liberalism, there should be repentance to follow. So, with that clear, the question should be asked: What should our identity be in view of the modern surge to become a Christian society (i.e., Christian nationalism)? The answer is one of utmost importance. A Christian is belongs to another kingdom. They are living in the world but are not of the world.  They are members of another group or collective, the body, called the church—an embassy in a world through which we are sojourning, on our way to another. They are individual lighthouses of the Lord, shining a light onto a path of righteousness for His name’s sake.  So, what about your stewardship of America, the land of the free? What priority does this take in view of Gospel commission priorities and body of Christ priorities?  

Simply put, Scripture must govern us as we engage one another, society, and our influence on the world stage.  We have but one Savior and His name is Jesus Christ, the Ruler of all rulers, the King of kings! He alone is the president and resident of any Christian heart.  He changed our hearts of stone to ones of flesh and promised us eternity, with a seat at our Father’s right hand in His kingdom where He will come to reign forever and ever!  

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1)  

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”  (Romans 13:8)