One American's perspective.

I was walking through a supermarket here, in St Louis, Missouri, the other day and enjoyed a brief but lively conversation with a young British woman hailing from the south of England. After the appropriate pleasantries and remarks of introduction had been exchanged, we began to touch on the cultural and political differences between the US and the UK. Her first direct question to me was, "What I want to know is, how could anyone vote for Donald Trump?"

Seven months out from one of the most pivotal presidential elections ever presented before the American people, along with phrases like 'border control', 'race war' and 'immigration', the name 'Donald Trump' elicits a response from almost everyone -- from the savviest of political insiders to the trend-obsessed 18-year old deciding whether or not to vote for the first time.

Everyone believes they have a position but, feet held to the fire, very few of us would boast that our position has been thought through with objectivity and seasoned personal conviction, and is based on facts.

Pushing Beneath the Surface

Let me be clear right out of hand. I am not necessarily a supporter of Mr Trump. As a matter of 'fact', I am not yet sure who I wish to support in this election. For me it will take time, study and prayer for God's leadership in order to decide who is to become the next President of the United States of America.

The name 'Donald Trump' elicits a response from almost everyone - but who of us would boast that our position has been properly thought through?

At first blush there are many things about Mr Trump, in particular, which are startling to the American (let alone the British!) sensibility – his arrogance, his appearance, his personal convictions (it is he who declared he has never had to ask God's forgiveness for anything he has done), his boorish demeanor, the seeming unending litany of bullying actions and impolitic comments that are (and always have been, where Trump is concerned) the source of unending fuel that fires the media.

However, after taking the time to push beyond the surface I believe I can pinpoint a few of the reasons why so many Americans are seriously backing Donald Trump.

Hope for the American Dream

Trump remembers when our people moved forward as a nation, each generation in the hope of a free, independent and productive future. And he declares that we can be that way again.

His grandfather was a European immigrant who was a successful businessman. His father was a man whose hard work and tenacity earned him audience with America's elite and enabled him to establish a name in the development of real estate and construction. Since birth, Donald Trump has been trained to operate at the pinnacle of American society.

For many, Trump personifies the American Dream.

Now, as the country that enabled his father to amass a personal fortune exceeding one quarter of a billion dollars by the time of his death reels from the impact of Obama's change without hope, Donald Trump decides to submit his credentials as an outside candidate to fill the highest post in the land.

Almost every citizen over the age of 40 in this country has equated the 'American Dream' (the idea that the hard-working, self-made man who, on the strength of his own tenacity, elbow-grease and determination to succeed, can supersede class and station despite all odds to create whatever legacy he chooses for himself and his family) to the pinnacle of personal freedom. Many of us have spent our lives trying to achieve this dream, passing its well-proven formula down to our children and grandchildren. However, most of us have found it to be harder than we thought, and have fallen short of our goals.

However, Mr Trump, to all intents and purposes, has lived the elusive 'American Dream'. Because of that, many US citizens find his person and his success enviable. Even if they don't agree with Trump's personal philosophies, they cannot deny his prowess in every field of endeavour. As a private businessman and public figure, Trump personally has enough clout - both fiscally and dynastically - to make it difficult for even the most seasoned power brokers to erase him from the canvas of public opinion.

Trump, to all intents and purposes, has lived the elusive 'American Dream'. Many US citizens find his person and his success enviable.

Sensationalism and Status

Trump's carefully crafted celebrity status both stimulates and threatens his ability to be taken seriously as a contender for the presidency. No matter how expensive the suit, his 'reality television' persona does not scream 'statesman'.

However, Mr Trump has brokered difficult business transactions, worked alongside lobbyists and politicians, pledged and followed through with open support for candidates from whichever side best championed his interests. He has hired and fired thousands of people, both Americans and immigrants. He has manipulated his public image to the point that, for twenty years, his personality has been as recognisable as that of the most highly paid celebrity or influential cultural icon in the world.

I believe it safe to say that Trump is not now, nor has he ever been, a stupid man.

It is easy, therefore, to believe in and support any man with his track record who says that, if he is elected, he will do all within his power to resurrect our national security, regain the confidence of our allies, empower our military and honour our veterans, improve and individualise the education our children receive, allow us to continue to protect ourselves, bring a return of free speech, support our elderly and sideline religious persecution.

Not an Establishment Man

Unlike every other candidate I, in my lifetime, have seen ascend to the point of being a contender for nomination by their representative party, Donald Trump is not the progeny of that small circle of mostly inter-connected American political elite. He has bought and paid for his own campaign with his own dollars. For better or worse, he is not concerned with pleasantries and platitudes.

Mind you, regardless of the appeal (or not) of his manner, Trump is not a 'clean' man. Although he says he is a Christian, from the 'fruits of his labours' I believe it to be a safe assumption that he, like most people, is perhaps speaking in reference more to his family tradition than to an active, living and breathing faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour. It is a matter of public record that he vacillates in this regard. No doubt, Trump, like most people, will say whatever he needs to say, do whatever he thinks he must do, to protect and/or further his own best interests.

In my lifetime I have been unexpectedly blessed to spend a great deal of time in and around those who wield substantial influence in our nation – its business, politics and entertainment. It has been my observation that business and politics walk hand in hand in every nation on earth. There are players and there are watchers. Each country has its own system for getting things done, and those who learn how to manipulate that system receive the benefits thereof. No system devised by man is clean. The only difference I see between the outright misdeeds of Donald Trump and those of any other seasoned, career politician is that the career politician does things more quietly.

This is not said to justify his past and/or present behaviours. It is said to invite balance against the meteoric sensationalism that surrounds this man in contrast with his political opponents.

The only difference between the outright misdeeds of Donald Trump and those of any other seasoned, career politician is that the career politician does things more quietly.

The Quality of His Enemies

Ever since Trump began to tell the American people that the values, traditions and freedoms by which they have lived for generations may yet be restored he has gained a wide range of increasingly powerful enemies, from grassroots organisations to international politics and business. To make any attempt to list his detractors would do precious little for anyone's digestion or be a profitable use of time, so I will attempt to hit only the most recent highlights of adversarial activity.

• The turning of the Republican (conservative) party, the very party he seeks to represent, against him within recent weeks is unprecedented in the annals of American politics.
• The media increasingly twists many of his statements past the point of reason, creating confusion around every aspect of his person and his campaign, ignoring any attempt at journalistic integrity.
• Grassroots opponents, many of whom are paid protesters, endeavour to spark physical altercations at his rallies, block access to the buildings where he is campaigning, and threaten his supporters with physical harm for simply coming to hear him speak.

Who is being accused - Trump, or the 'silent majority' he purportedly represents?

The media would have us believe that, from the outside looking in, Trump's candidacy would inspire chaos, hatred, and despair as Trump, the new Hitler, would make America his footstool.

War on Who?

But it appears that the more dissension and disaffection is aimed at Donald Trump, the more support he seems to gain from the people. Why? Could it be that the war being waged against Trump and all he says he stands for is not, in reality, against the man, himself, but against those who support him?

Is it possible that, at its root, this is a war against the people?

We, The People (of God)

We who are followers of Christ understand that God positions leaders into the nations as he wills, so for the United States, at this juncture, Donald Trump may or may not be the man for the hour.

Either he is who he says he is and believes what he declares he believes, and God may choose to use him in the fight to return some level of balance and stability to our nation for a few years more – or Trump is following the money, having brokered a 'deal' with those who would collapse this, the last great unique government in the world – a deal which, in return for playing ball, would ensure him a seat on the board of the world corporation.

The election of any national leader is critical not only to their native peoples, but to governments across the globe; and we, as sons and daughters of the living God, are obligated - by the mandate of Christ - to be involved with one another on such level that the glory of God may be revealed to and through our nations. If we are allowed the privilege of a vote, we really should use it.

However, it is often disheartening to come away from a voting booth feeling as though we have simply chosen the candidate who we think will do the least damage during his/her tenure. We long for Godly men and women to step up, but seldom does either the US or the UK see that happen.

As sons and daughters of the living God, we are mandated to live such that the glory of God may be revealed to and through our nations. We must broaden our perspective.

Both the US and the UK represent great hinge points of leadership in the world. As citizens, we each represent a microcosm of our respective nations. I believe each one of us must broaden our perspective. As God's people, we must begin to see past the screen on the television, past the cultural borders of our nations, and unite in a more collective mindset. We must pray for one another's candidates, leaders and nations, if we are to become vessels for the wisdom and courage to stand for Jesus Christ.

Linda Louis-vanReed is Prophecy Today's American correspondent. She lives in Ferguson, Missouri with her husband, Bruce.