Onward
The people have spoken. Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States of America. Yesterday was a proud day — regardless of your political leanings — as we saw centuries of senseless prejudice overcome in one fell swoop.
Okay, maybe that’s optimistic overstatement. I doubt we’ll ever see all the pockets of racism eradicated in any of our lifetimes. There will always be work to do on that front.
Still, the idea that come January there will be a black man in the white house is a beautiful thing — especially for those who have known firsthand how ugly people can be toward those who are different. This shows that in America, anything really is possible. As I watched the late night rerun of Obama’s acceptance speech, the camera cut to Jesse Jackson, and it took my breath away. I’m no fan of Jesse Jackson, but knowing everything he has seen and how long he has hoped and dreamed and prayed for just such a moment…. It’s a long way from Selma, Alabama to Washington, DC.
I do like and respect Obama, and, unlike many other Evangelical Christians, I take his faith seriously. I even like some of his policies, and I’m utterly thrilled for the guts he has shown in speeches like his controversial Father’s Day speech at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago.
As I have said before, my main problem with Obama is abortion. I’m a pretty conservative guy, so there are other problems, but abortion became a deal breaker for me.
Having said that, I have to affirm that to the extent President-elect Obama wants to do good, I intend to support and help him. If he wants to strengthen fathering in America, I’m all for that. How can you not be? He’s right on with this subject. If he wants to reduce the number of abortions in this country while refusing to outlaw this barbaric practice based on faulty science, I’ll support him on the former while challenging him on the latter.
He told millions of us last night that he would listen to the voices of those whose votes he did not earn, that he would listen especially to those who disagree with him. I want to take him up on that offer.
President-elect Barack Obama, do you hear my voice? Will you listen to me? Please do not make good on your promise to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. Please reconsider and re-examine the ramifications of allowing Planned Parenthood to have such a large role in your campaign and, potentially, your administration.
Wherever our next president chooses to do good, to fight systemic evil and corruption, to beat back darkness and instill a sense of hope in those who have been marginalized by our society, I’ll back him as hard as I can while still contending for what I believe to be an even greater good.
There is much to do. We have a lot to fix and heal in this great land of ours. I will not let party politics prevent me from lending a hand. There are hungry people and lonely people. There are marriages on the brink. There are children in danger. There are people living without the security, hope and peace that come ultimately from having a relationship with their Father in Heaven who loves them more than they can ever begin to imagine. I will not give in to sulking or name-calling. I will allow bitterness no foothold. There’s no time for that; there’s too much to do.
More than anything, now is the time to remember that God is still in control. He is not nervously pacing back and forth in Heaven, wringing his hands wondering what to do now. He is still seated. He is still calm and in control. He is still at work as he has always been — sometimes because of good leaders — sometimes in spite of bad ones. My eyes are fixed on him, and my core values remain intact. Life today is pretty similar to life yesterday. The sun came up this morning and will continue to do so until God says, “Stop.”
Prayer still works. The Bible still illuminates. The Spirit still convicts and empowers. God still loves. Jesus still saves.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Did you get emotional or misty-eyed over seeing Oprah in the crowd?
Good thoughts…
November 5th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Yeah…not so much with Oprah. I’m sure she’s endured racial prejudice in the past, but being sued in Texas for “food disparagement” isn’t quite the same as Letters From a Birmingham Jail.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I love this. Amen x 500.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I just hope he takes to heart the protection of America
November 6th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
In voting for Barack Obama (not that it made much of an electoral difference in Arkansas, where I live!), I had to do so while making the promise that I will pray for him every day for the remainder of his term as President of the United States.
I noticed that was Bill Bennett’s first reaction when the results were announced on CNN. And that the Roman Catholic Church expressed its intention to do the same thing the next day: pray for the President-Elect.
I join you in desiring to communicate to him the will of the people – I would have to guess the majority of Americans – that he would do nothing to make convenient abortion easier to choose.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
[...] Faith 2.0 [...]
November 6th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Powerful article! You did a great job. Thank you
November 6th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I guess we should pray for the best remembering that Obama owes a lot to the radical left and they will expect repayment.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Everything I was thinking (except the abortion section…I agree with it, I just wasn’t thinking it) but said way better than I can express it.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
On the money John, Truth is the only real change that can happen is through Jesus Christ! Great post, I’m going to share it with my team today.
Thanks Kev
November 10th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I gotta tell ya, I’m really glad I searched for information before I bought your new book “52 Greatest Stories of the Bible”. After reading this I will hold off for some time on buying it until I can read more of your blog ’cause if your focus is more on the weepy eyed people fooled into seeing Mr. Obama as their savior than the devastation he will bring to this country if he follows through on what he has promised and if it’s true that a man is known by the company he keeps, then I’m a little nervous as to what I’d be reading.
Not trying to be insulting to you in saying this (note I haven’t made a personal attack and I AM willing to read more), just that it’s an unsettling focus.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Great post. Thank you for the reminder that God reigns over all, regardless of who reigns down here. Who could argue with Chris (above), but I appreciate the commitment to be a positive, prayerful citizen, rather than a bitter partisan on the sidelines.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Mark,
Obviously, you have your opinions. I’m glad you sought out more information before you bought my book as well. For the record, my focus will always be more on people than on policies. Actually, as I read back over the post, it seems to me that the focus — especially at the end there — is upon the sovereignty of God. So, God and people — I think that’s a good place to focus.
I do think President-Elect Obama has some misguided ideas, and I pray that he seeks wise counsel before recklessly forging ahead with everything he’s promised — particularly in the areas of abortion on demand and fetal stem-cell research. I imagine you and I have much in common politically.
As for your comment about a man being known by the company he keeps…well…I wonder what that says about Jesus.
Not that I’m comparing Barack Obama to Jesus. I’m just saying.