Buy The Bull By The Pound!

As I shared in my book, Almost Finished, I grew up in rural southern Indiana where my father and uncle farmed together raising livestock, tobacco, and grain. One of my favorite stories from the farm is one my father shared regarding the purchase of a bull. My father and uncle had agreed to purchase a bull from a local farmer at a fixed per head price. My father and uncle were aware that this farmer had the reputation of having a volatile personality and the habit of changing his mind and renegotiating business deals at the 11^th hour. With that in mind and with their eyes wide open, my father and uncle got in their farm truck and went to purchase and pick up the bull. When they arrived, the other farmer “apologized” while explaining that he could not possibly sell the bull at the previously agreed fixed price because the bull was worth far more and the only fair way for the sale to proceed would be to load the bull and go into town to the feed store and weigh the bull and sell it at a new per pound price. My father and uncle were not pleased with the “re-trade”, but because they needed the bull they agreed and went to town to weigh the bull and buy it on a per pound price basis. But guess what happened? The per pound price for the bull was less than the per head fixed price! My father and uncle were willing to tolerate some frustration and inconvenience to secure the bull they needed, and they were rewarded for doing so.

So, what relevance does this story from the farm regarding the purchase of a bull have for today’s current events? Plenty in my opinion. Just as my father and uncle were faced with a challenge in the purchase of the bull which they needed to purchase, I believe Christian conservatives are faced with a challenge with President Trump. So let me explain. With President Trump, Christian conservatives are thankful to have a President who makes himself clear on the following: There are only two genders, male and female; biological men should not be participating in women’s sports; diversity equity and inclusion should be removed from higher education and Corporate America; only judges who know the difference between a man and a woman should be nominated to the federal bench; the sanctity of the life of the unborn is important and must be prioritized; and the United States border should be made secure and illegal migrant criminals should be deported before they commit crimes in this country.

Conversely, Christian conservatives are rightly concerned that this President is needlessly and gratuitously profane in public discourse. He publicly vilifies allied countries and members of his own political party when a frank and pointed private conversation could accomplish far more in furthering the priorities of his administration. He harshly and publicly criticized three conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justices who decided a case on his tariff policy against his wishes even though they had decided numerous previous cases that supported his policies, and he will need their support for future cases which come before the Court. He celebrated the death of a political enemy when words of grace and compassion or at least silence should have been his response. He failed to swiftly condemn and fire an aide who drew a racist and inappropriate caricature of a former U.S. President and First Lady.

As a Christian and a political conservative, I find this cognitive dissonance with President Trump a regular challenge for my faith and Christian world view. Just as my father and uncle needed the bull and were willing to be frustrated and inconvenienced in their negotiations to acquire the bull, our country needs the policies undertaken by President Trump even if it requires a full measure of patience. These policies promote traditional Judeo-Christian values and protect the health and safety of our country. But the dark side shown by the President is troubling and threatens to derail the important policies of his administration which are important for the health and welfare of our country. Why has recent polling evidenced disapproval with the President’ immigration policies? Could it be that the former leader of the Department of Homeland Security lacked necessary law enforcement and other relevant qualifications and was “in over her head?” The American people clearly understand that chaos in the streets of Minneapolis is not effective immigration policy. Thankfully, she has now been replaced, but not before doing great reputational damage to the President’s immigration policies.

I feel compelled to share these concerns in this blog. My sense is that I am not alone with these concerns, especially so among other Believers. President Trump still has over 30 months left in his term and his effectiveness and legacy will surely be diminished if he continues the present course. If God has chosen him to accomplish His purposes in our nation today as He did with the Persian King Cyrus as discussed in the Book of Ezra 1:1, I pray that God will (i) lead the President and those close to him to continue to pursue policies that are consistent with a Judeo-Christian and Biblical world view and (ii) lead the President to change his attitude and public statements which do not serve him, or his administration well and also diminish the opportunity for the long-term success of these policies. To be sure, the Progressive left needs no help and no unforced errors from the President as it seeks to undermine the success of his administration!

God bless you and thank you for the privilege of your time in reading my blog.