The Day Everything Changed.
I heard someone say on the radio today, “What’s the big deal about the inauguration? It’s just another President!”
Respectfully, I disagree.
There has never been another time like this in the history of our country. Ever. The peaceful transfer of governmental power is a unique distinction of the United States of America. This is a feat in and of itself. Most other countries transfer power in the same way that a tooth is ripped from the jaw: Painfully and with lots of blood. No, this inauguration day is different for another reason: Hope.
When Barack Obama became the 44th President this afternoon (after a bumbling, stumbling swearing-in ceremony thanks to John G. Roberts), the nation took a deep breath and exhaled together with a collective word: Hope. It feels like this country has hope again.
How do I know? I felt it. Didn’t you?
Sitting in my living room, by myself, eating a salami sandwich, I felt it. Deeply.
While watching, I was taking notice of how deeply I was being affected by the events I was witnessing:
I felt the relief of people of color as they watched “someone like us” take the highest office in the land. What an incredibly empowering turn of events, when only 40 short years ago in this country, minorities, specifically African-Americans, were met with fire hoses and police dogs, not cheers and inaugurations!
I felt the relief of a younger generation–my generation–feel as though they have someone in the office of the President who understands how we live (for crying out loud, Obama’s a poster boy for Blackberry! His weekly updates are on YouTube! This is a guy who gets communicating with a younger generation.)
Most of all, I felt the relief of a country that is tired of being divided. I felt as though we, as a nation, said to one another, “Truce?” Enough with the bickering in Washington. Enough of the conservative whining. Enough of the liberal agenda. (Which is why I am so disappointed by Christians who are still under the delusion that it’s their job to “win the country for Jesus.” Please, let it rest. Jesus could have conquered Rome in an instant, yet he didn’t. Read the Gospels to find out why.) Enough of the negativity and writing people off before they even have a chance to prove themselves. Enough.
I don’t know if Obama will be a good President. I hope he is. I do know that Jesus said, “You will know a tree by what kind of fruit it produces.” For that, first and foremost, I look to Obama’s family. From what I can see, his girls love him and honor him, and his wife cherishes him. For the record, that’s a good sign. That’s good fruit.
I want to give you, Christian or not, permission to be excited if indeed you feel that way. You have no reason (yet) not to be. God bless Barack Obama. Amen!
Well said Justin.
Brooklyn, NY sends it's love.
And I send the love back to Brooklyn! "Big ups to Brooklyn!"
very well said – i'm in complete agreement, and felt that God's beautiful, powerful Spirit was so splendidly on display today. am i onboard with all of his policy stances–nope. but i have been inspired as a 40-something disciple-still-in-training to "grow up" and get involved at a higher level than ever before. and i do believe that there is plenty for authentic worshippers of Jesus to be excited about in the upcoming era of government of our nation, as well as government of ourselves as humans if only we would perceive the opportunity. the book of revelation comes to mind, "for he who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches…" no, our new leader may not be some right-wing fanatic who makes sure to choose his words carefully to please the "we-still-stubbornly-think-we're-in-God's-will" Bible-thumping conservatives. but i am convinced that now is an unprecedented moment for hope, and change we really can believe in.
peace, tina haase findlay
Obama gives me hope, and this post does as well. Thank you, Justin for placing yet another balm over my embittered heart.
@Susan: Thank you for your kindness. Hang in there, I think the best is yet to come!
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I couldn't agree more! I feel the same way… all of a sudden something seems different, and I don't think it is just that we have a new president.
What do you think it is outside of Barack taking office?
Like you said, there is an immense amount of hope being pumped into the air, which is a nice change from the last couple of months.
Something about yesterday, for me, reminded me what it meant to be an American. I remembered that we are a people who get knocked down, and who get back up. We work hard, and we truly are leaders in this world. It was like a light came on for me that we aren't victims and maybe we should quit acting as if we are. I don't want to speak for everyone, but it seemed as if that light came on for lots of people yesterday, and I could feel the power of it all… it's definitely an exciting time!
It was a great day for America. Like he mentioned in his speech 60 years ago his father wouldn't have been served in many restaurants, but here he is taking the oath of office.
I'll pray for him always, and support him when I can.
That's awesome. I find that the more I pray for people, the less I can hold against them! Perhaps that's what God was hinting at when he told us to pray for our leaders? I'm glad you'll be joining countless others in praying for his protection and to be filled with the Spirit of wisdom and insight!
I wish more Christians had that attitude.
We know so few who supported Obama that we practically had to hide the fact that we voted for him.
I'm a Canadian, and glad that our neighbouring nation has a new sense of hope with the inauguration of a new president. While watching a bit of it on TV, I have to admit the feeling you mention was evident.
I know that Obama's race isn't his one defining characteristic, but it can't be overlooked. In a figurative sense, the slave of the 1800's has become the president in 2009. Perhaps Mr. Lincoln himself would have found that to be almost unbelievable. This inauguration might have more of a healing effect than the average American realizes.
I don't know if Obama will be able to get the USA on the right track in all things. I just think that if the slave traders way back knew, as they loaded the Africans into boats to steal them from their homeland, that an African would be in charge of their country someday – wow. I see parallels to the Old Testament story of Joseph.
Well I think pointing out the man's color of skin is rather poor taste. MLK pushed for skin color to be dropped from converstation, not praised one way or the other. And seriously, it's 2009, did anyone really doubt that a woman or black, asian, etc couldnt be president?? Seriously, move on. As far as our new President, hope may not be in his control as our economy continues to slide. If you have looked at his stimulus plan he wants to spend billions on energy research and std awareness…all noble causes but not ones that will fix our economy. Lets get out of Iraq and let all the greedy companies that got us into this recession fail and relay on economics 101 and not a human celebrity president "fix" our situation that WE (not the government) put our selves in. Let's just "hope" our new president doesnt push us deeper into that pitfall by spending our tax $ uslessly.