Thoughts about Obama's presidency

I think it is wonderful that America has it’s first African-American president. The racial history of the States, and the quite disturbing racism that still exists, is a sad indictment on the USA.

I think Obama is incredibly charismatic and a brilliant orator, who loves his wife and daughters (and is even buying them a puppy!) That is a very nice thing to have in a leader!

I think it is time for a political change in the States. Too long of any party and things can become too far skewed in one direction. (I think the same was true for Australia as well.)

And let’s face it – what a fairytale story ripe for amazing headlines such as “From Slavery to the White House”. Seriously, the media will be in heaven for a while! There is a lot of hyperbole and some very grandiose statements being flung around at the moment. But hey – it’s America – they do big, bold, and spectacular like few other countries.

I don’t know who I would have voted for if I was American. I wasn’t too interested in the election for a long time and was leaning Obama.

But here’s the thing....

The difficulty with American politics is that ‘some’ segments of the christianised culture in the States forgot to be prophetic rather than partisan. This has had the effect of galvanizing other ‘segments’ of the christianised culture to rightfully denounce that position.  And sadly, it sometimes feels that we have to choose between being Christians who oppose poverty, or Christians who oppose abortion.

Why can’t we love and help the poor AND the unborn? Why do we let political maneuvering define the issues for us?

Globally, 26 500 children die every day from poverty-related issues.
Globally, 126 000 children are aborted every day.
Both of these statistics are tragic and should compel us to continue to speak for those who do not have a voice.

Obama’s voting record on matters of abortion are dismal.  Obama’s voting record on matters pertaining to infants born alive after abortions is possibly worse.
And you know what – that’s not ok.
So in our breathless rush to celebrate a fairytale ascension, let’s cheer the good, but not gloss over the bad.

For there is both good and bad in Obama’s espoused policy, as there was in Bush, and Clinton, and Bush, and Reagan, and Carter........
And as there is in my own heart, and in my own actions...

Political change is always possible. And we should never abandon the systems which govern our countries. But political change will never effect the heart of man. And poverty, and abortion, and all the other tragic circumstances of our world ultimately need solutions birthed and sustained by transformed hearts.
Change – true change - is possible. It comes through Christ and his power to transform lives and hearts each and every day.
And His plans for us are for ‘a future and a hope’.

So let’s smile and rejoice in Obama’s historic win.
Let’s continue to seek the good of the lands in which we live.
Let’s continue to speak for those who have no voice.
And let’s pray and play our part in influencing society.