Inauguration 2017. There’s going to be prayer, music, speeches … does this sound like a church service to you? Well, we know it is far from it. We also know that dissenting parties plan to rally throughout President Trump’s inauguration. This past year of campaigning has brought a whirlwind of divisive emotions, so much that even Christians find it hard to achieve unity. I want to turn the tables a bit today. Here are three short thoughts concerning President Trump’s inauguration and the future of our nation:

1. The inauguration, and the upcoming presidency, should cause us to consider the next generation.

Whether you have kids or not, it is every adult’s responsibility to facilitate a good future for succeeding generations. Let’s invest, disciple, train, teach, and mentor the next generation of leaders who have the capacity to hold prestigious offices like that of the presidency. One day, we too will be saying farewell like Mr. Obama, so let’s set up future generations for success in succession.

2. Find at least one good thing to say.

Believe it or not, even the candidates for election had trouble with this. Here’s a neat principle: people who speak well of their organizations tend to feel better concerning them, and their organizational cultures more often turn positive over time as a result. Imagine if every American spoke one good thing about our nation today. Imagine if positive discourse became our modus operandi, and it was frowned upon to be hateful towards one another. Try speaking well of our nation and our incoming president today regardless of your political stance.

3. The upcoming presidency should cause us to pray strategically.

Guess what? I hesitated with this last point because it brings serious conviction. I pounce and yelp like a chihuahua about our nation’s unrest, yet I rarely pray for us. Yes, the inaugural agenda bids us to pray formally as a nation today, but may we pray for a wide range of topics concerning our democracy throughout this year.

Generations are brewing as you finish reading this post, a new discourse is on the horizon, and the future of our nation needs our prayers. Today is more than an inauguration. Would you roll up your sleeves with me? It’s time to invest in our future.

What are some other positive ways to approach President Trump’s inauguration? Share this post in your social circles and share your thoughts with our community below!