The election season has finally ended, but has left many Christians feeling worn, weary, and battle-scarred. It was an ugly, contentious, and disheartening campaign. And whether you woke up this morning feeling immense relief, profound disappointment, or something in between, I think, we’re all keenly aware that something is still profoundly wrong. The very fabric of our nation, communities, churches and relationships has been torn and we’re left wondering if mending is even possible.

For most believers, this election came with compromises and difficult choices. Many voted with conviction, but many others voted reluctantly, “holding their nose” to choose “the lesser of two evils” For some, the deep character flaws of those put forth by the two parties were so great they couldn’t in good conscience support any major candidate.  Hopefully, all were unsettled by the flagrant displays of sin, pride, hostility, deceit, and divisiveness on both sides of the aisle.

But the election is over. And now is the time for Christ-followers to embrace a calling far greater than selecting who sits in the White House. It’s time for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a broken world. It’s time for the church to be the church.

Our calling remains the same, regardless of who holds political power. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to embody God’s kingdom values and the fruit of the Spirit even when political leaders and parties do not. Jesus said, “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Have we lost sight of our mission?

Called to Kingdom Values

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) defines what it means to live as His followers. He calls us to be “poor in spirit,” “merciful,” “pure in heart,” and “peacemakers.” In a world that values winning at all costs, personal pride, and self-preservation, these traits are rarely paths to power or influence.

Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the assertive, the powerful, or argumentative.” He blessed those who show mercy, hunger for righteousness, and make peace. Imagine what could happen if the world recognized us not by our support of a political agenda, but by our humble, steadfast commitment to the gospel. In the next 4 years, let’s remember that Jesus didn’t call us to argue people into His kingdom, but to love them into it. It’s time for the church to be the church.

Recognize the True Enemy

Unlike messages we hear so much today, Jesus told us not to hate or despise others but to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This reminds us that political opponents aren’t our real enemies. Our struggle, as Paul writes in Ephesians 6, is not “against flesh and blood” but against “the rulers, the authorities, and the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Rather than direct our animosity at other people- who are created in God’s image- let’s battle the true enemy, “the god of this age [who] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Let’s exchange anger and hate for Jesus’ love and compassion. It’s time for the church to be the church.

Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit

Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) provides a blueprint for what should mark our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Have you seen much of that lately? In a world that thrives on conflict and chaos, imagine the impact of a community of people known for love and peace, kindness and gentleness. These aren’t “soft” qualities—they’re powerful evidence of God at work within us. They’re exactly what we need in this post-election season.

When tempted to react, defend, or dismiss others, the Spirit urges us to choose patience and practice self-control. These fruits remind us that our strength lies not in shouting louder but by walking in step with the Spirit. It’s time for the church to be the church.

A Different Kind of Influence

Our world is driven by a hunger for power and the need to “be right.” But the gospel calls us to a different kind of influence. Imagine a church that doesn’t play by the world’s rules—one that shines brightly not by shouting louder but by loving deeper, forgiving quicker, and seeking God’s truth over public opinion. Imagine a church that rises above the fray and walks away from needless debate. Our influence doesn’t come from making headlines or accumulating social media likes; it comes from reflecting Jesus in our everyday choices. It’s time for the church to be the church.

A Light in the Darkness

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). For the next 4 years, let’s be that light—trusting in Jesus above any political figure or system, loving “sinners” as much as we hate sin, and building bridges, not walls. Let’s “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8) and refuse to be swept up in the same divisive spirit that’s tearing our nation apart. May we embody the values of His Kingdom and allow the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in our lives.

Let’s remember who we are and whose we are. The world is watching—and now, more than ever, it’s time for the church to be the church.