This will be our first president with an African heritage. It has taken longer from the end of slavery to this day than it took from the beginning of our nation til the end of slavery. I am thrilled to part of a nation who is, in part, fulfilling part of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream. In God's Word we read, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female...." It is historic to see that portion of the verse being lived out before our eyes. I am glad to know we have come to this point.
Yet, there is a part of me that wants to cry out, "Obama is not the hero that caused this!" This change, the one of putting a man with a partial African background into the office of president IS historic, but it is ONLY happening because of those who went before him. As Natalie & I have been reading through a series of books set in the 1800's, we have seen bits of what started this change. There were men, thousands of men, black AND white, who fought and gave their lives so that EVERY human being would have the freedom we treasure in our nation. Even then, though, there was not equality. We know of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., but I suspect there are countless more who fought for this cause and likely gave their lives doing so.
Then there is that "African-American" title that wanders through my mind. I have heard Africans living in America say that the people here who descended from Africans, but have lived here for generations upon generations, are not African-American. They are Americans who happen to have an African heritage. Obama truly is African-American. I am not sure how I feel about that. He's been to Africa as I have. He has seen how the people live in villages. He has visited his relatives still living in villages. My hope is that part of the "change" he hopes to bring about would be in helping bring an end to some of the problems in Africa, slave trade, genocides, endless wars between tribes. I know his role is to take care of America, but I hope somehow that this fits into that description.
Change....what kind of change is this man going to bring to our nation? Is change always good? Has he told us WHAT this change is he proclaims to the multitudes? Does it mean those of us working in the "middle class" or even "lower middle class" will take our hard earned money to provide for those who choose to not work at all? Does it mean parents who choose to live on one income so one parent can be home raising the children will be forced to both be employed while the government cares for our children? What does it mean to those who have fought for equal rights for ALL humans, even those deemed unfit or a bother and so are killed? Yes, there is a genocide in our nation and the target is unwanted children. If we kill them before they are born, even if they are old enough to survive outside the womb, and call it science or choice, is that a good thing?
The "left" has elevated this man to hero status who will conquer those on the "right." The "right" cries out that this man is connected to terrorists and not an American by birth. Will this change that he brings raise cheers from his loyal followers, or will he surprise his opponents and listen to their voices as well?
Tonight we watched a bit of Disney's Kids Inaugural Night. It seemed to be initiated by Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden, who had children/grandchildren in attendance to listen to their favorite Disney singers. The theme was two-fold: We support our military families, and Kids are the Future. The words they used were very good. They were very "non-partisan." It is true that our children will be the future of this nation. Yet, even my 10 year old child noticed they were all wearing Obama shirts and putting him on a pedestal as the one who would lead our children to fulfill all their dreams. I told her (this was not a new conversation, but one we've had several times) that even if we disagreed with his stand on issues, he is going to be our next president and it is historic that he is the first African-American president. I told her (again) that the Obama girls probably get home from school & watch Hannah Montana just like she does. She's a pretty sharp girl and she seemed to see through that to something that finally struck me. If kids are the future, why do we need Obama's face on t-shirts? Why not put, "I am a kid and I am your future?" Why are we parading him as this great hero to children? They don't vote (thank the Lord! LOL!). Are we sending subtle messages to them so when they are old enough to vote they will believe whatever the media tells them to believe? Of course, when I told Natalie that one day she will get to vote & needs to vote for the RIGHT candidate (whomever that may be), she reminded me (again), "I will be 22 before I can vote!" She'll actually be ALMOST 22 before she can vote for president. That happens when you are born in late November in the wrong year!
My dad and others have said several times that the president alone isn't going to make all the changes we seem to think he is. It will take the congress and judicial system to work with him to make things really change. I know he is right, but if the legislative and judicial branches are aligned with the executive branch, THEN we will see changes, whatever they might be.
It's easier to fear & wonder about these changes. I am reminded that it isn't the president, the congress, or the Supreme Court who ultimately have the final say. It is the Supreme God who has the ultimate authority. He does not change. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Hebrews 13:8 tells us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
That verse I mentioned about no difference is slave and free really wasn't about setting slaves free. It was about a freedom that comes with a change. The change is in realizing that we are sinners & need the Lord's forgiveness. The freedom is one that frees us from the shackles of guilt and eternity spent away from Him. Here is the entire verse:
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28
My hope is not in a new president. My fears of what he may do should not concern me. My hope should be solely (and souly) in Christ, for HE does not change when all else around us does.
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