Let the Day Begin
It was so disheartening. Utterly predictable, too. After the historic victory of Barack Obama last evening, I awoke to hear all the commentators weigh in on NPR. As usual, good, substantative coverage. Then, I turn over to my local Christian station to hear....anger, resentment, the same broken vitriolic record I've been hearing my whole life from conseravtive fundamentalists. Instead of a plea to pray for our new President-elect, I hear an angry woman laundry listing all the horrible things that will happen under a Democratic regime. If Amendment 2 had not turned out favorably for this group, well, I can only imagine the bile that would've filled my speakers.
Now, I'm sure that many Christians are praying for Obama. And our country. I'm one of them. He most certainly has his work cut out for him. The more I think about this victory, the more exciting it is. But the wet blanket of reality was flung over my head this morning when I heard the outcry from my supposed sister in Christ. Well, I'd rather hear the cheers of African-Americans, vindicated at last. I want to hear the tinkle of glasses around the world, the cheers of non-Americans who look toward an Administration that won't devalue them, even if they disagree with our policies and actions. There is much to anticipate. I look forward to a new age, a cessation of the Age of Mediocrity in which we've lived these last eight years. Mediocrity in education, diplomacy, fiscal responsibility and accountability, forward thinking in medical research; the list goes on.
We live in the United States of America. Not the United States of Christians. Or the United States of any other one religion, race, creed, or orientation. We are over 260 million individuals with different ideas who are protected by laws which allow us freedoms not readily available everywhere else. I'm very Jeremy Bentham in my ideals for USA paradigms; it's not the United States of Me. Put another way, denying groups certain rights who don't agree with us ain't cool. Marriage will always be between a man and a woman in my eyes, and as the Scriptures tell us, in the eyes of God. But not everyone believes in My Savior, and I have to respect that as I pray mightily for them. I would expect the same respect from my non-believing fellow Americans.
In other words, we should never confuse the two kingdoms, heaven and earth. I believe that I was born to love the Lord, and be an example for Him. Part of those duties is to show His love, and angrily trying to deny rights to others is NOT part of that package. Valuing the rights of all my earthly breathren IS.
Abortion is a different animal, and I cannot use the word "rights" in that discussion. It is a grand tragedy, but one of many. We allow slaughters of citizens of countries who we think are guilty of various things. We allow millions in our own backyard to remain destitute and dispossessed. There are areas of this nation that are as barren as parts of many underdeveloped countries. Take a walk through the South Bronx sometime. There are real live people who need assistance. And no, not all of us have the same opportunities, lest we trot out the old "they could really get a job if they wanted to" jive. Hopefully that will change.
I agree that the church should be a major facilitator of outreach to the poor and weak. There are numerous examples of this arund the country. However, (socialistic tendency alert) the government has the resources to implement real, effective programs, that don't merely empower laziness or complacency. No easy task, but one of the reasons I voted for Obama is that in him I see potential for the engineering of effective governmental action. And I am more than willing to pay a little extra for that, just like my utilitarian bud, Mr. Bentham.
Back in '92, when Bill Clinton was elected, I recall being downright depressed. And scared. I was still a hardcore Republican in those days. I walked around using terms like "bleeding heart" and "treehugger." I had dear friends who were believers who dared to think differently and not fall in line to the usual conservative protocols. It didn't make sense to me then. But I got older, and started breaking away from my guilded cage. I saw other cultures, other ways of life. People are bleeding out there. Far from the confines of my little Christian subculture. There is far more with which to be concerned than, to name one, others' sexual orientation, a fixation that continues to baffle me. The real world howl of pain, of real time hurt, was now something in my face, not just on television. It burdened my heart. At first, quite negatively. Then, I was catapulted back in the direction in which I continue to strive. Thank the Lord. Best thing that ever happened to me. I think back on my old self with great embarrassment. Youth truly was wasted on the young.
OK, rant over! May the Lord bless Barack Obama and our country, and all would disagree with my words. I appreciate the indulgence. I guess this is what blogs are for, huh?
Now, I'm sure that many Christians are praying for Obama. And our country. I'm one of them. He most certainly has his work cut out for him. The more I think about this victory, the more exciting it is. But the wet blanket of reality was flung over my head this morning when I heard the outcry from my supposed sister in Christ. Well, I'd rather hear the cheers of African-Americans, vindicated at last. I want to hear the tinkle of glasses around the world, the cheers of non-Americans who look toward an Administration that won't devalue them, even if they disagree with our policies and actions. There is much to anticipate. I look forward to a new age, a cessation of the Age of Mediocrity in which we've lived these last eight years. Mediocrity in education, diplomacy, fiscal responsibility and accountability, forward thinking in medical research; the list goes on.
We live in the United States of America. Not the United States of Christians. Or the United States of any other one religion, race, creed, or orientation. We are over 260 million individuals with different ideas who are protected by laws which allow us freedoms not readily available everywhere else. I'm very Jeremy Bentham in my ideals for USA paradigms; it's not the United States of Me. Put another way, denying groups certain rights who don't agree with us ain't cool. Marriage will always be between a man and a woman in my eyes, and as the Scriptures tell us, in the eyes of God. But not everyone believes in My Savior, and I have to respect that as I pray mightily for them. I would expect the same respect from my non-believing fellow Americans.
In other words, we should never confuse the two kingdoms, heaven and earth. I believe that I was born to love the Lord, and be an example for Him. Part of those duties is to show His love, and angrily trying to deny rights to others is NOT part of that package. Valuing the rights of all my earthly breathren IS.
Abortion is a different animal, and I cannot use the word "rights" in that discussion. It is a grand tragedy, but one of many. We allow slaughters of citizens of countries who we think are guilty of various things. We allow millions in our own backyard to remain destitute and dispossessed. There are areas of this nation that are as barren as parts of many underdeveloped countries. Take a walk through the South Bronx sometime. There are real live people who need assistance. And no, not all of us have the same opportunities, lest we trot out the old "they could really get a job if they wanted to" jive. Hopefully that will change.
I agree that the church should be a major facilitator of outreach to the poor and weak. There are numerous examples of this arund the country. However, (socialistic tendency alert) the government has the resources to implement real, effective programs, that don't merely empower laziness or complacency. No easy task, but one of the reasons I voted for Obama is that in him I see potential for the engineering of effective governmental action. And I am more than willing to pay a little extra for that, just like my utilitarian bud, Mr. Bentham.
Back in '92, when Bill Clinton was elected, I recall being downright depressed. And scared. I was still a hardcore Republican in those days. I walked around using terms like "bleeding heart" and "treehugger." I had dear friends who were believers who dared to think differently and not fall in line to the usual conservative protocols. It didn't make sense to me then. But I got older, and started breaking away from my guilded cage. I saw other cultures, other ways of life. People are bleeding out there. Far from the confines of my little Christian subculture. There is far more with which to be concerned than, to name one, others' sexual orientation, a fixation that continues to baffle me. The real world howl of pain, of real time hurt, was now something in my face, not just on television. It burdened my heart. At first, quite negatively. Then, I was catapulted back in the direction in which I continue to strive. Thank the Lord. Best thing that ever happened to me. I think back on my old self with great embarrassment. Youth truly was wasted on the young.
OK, rant over! May the Lord bless Barack Obama and our country, and all would disagree with my words. I appreciate the indulgence. I guess this is what blogs are for, huh?
Comments
Blessings, brother.