Change We Can Believe In
"Change we can believe in" was one of the campaign mantras from Barack Obama. It was one of the ways in which he successfully instilled hope in a generation of Americans who had largely become apathetic. I include myself in that group. I hadn't become apathetic about the future of our country (or my own future), but rather apathetic about politics... assuming that it was hopeless. That nothing could be done to change the direction of our government. That my beliefs and concerns and hopes were of little import to the people governing my country. Obama changed that... his own "audacity of hope" giving me the audacity to speak out about politics in a way I have never done before.
But that hope for change didn't come straight from Barack Obama. That hope came from a newfound hope in who God is... and who he isn't.
My faith has been stretched and reshaped in recent years. I've had trouble believing in the God that much of "evangelical, conservative Christianity" promotes. The God who "hates gays" - who promotes prosperity theology and values big business and financial freedom over showing mercy to the poor and downtrodden and hopeless.
Many would have us believe that God is a Republican. I think not. He's not a Republican or a Democrat or even an American. God loves Muslims. God loves gay people and black people and my loud next-door-neighbors. God loves John McCain and Barack Obama. God loves Iran and North Korea and Russia. God started all of this in Iraq... you can't tell me he doesn't love that country.
We've so Americanized God that it seems people truly believe that God cares about our "right to bear arms" and whether or not we fly the American flag. I don't think God cares about that at all... I think he cares about (as MLK Jr. put it) the "content of our character." I agree that the founders of our country were guided by their faith in God. But that doesn't give America (or Americans) exclusive right to Him.
I've rambled... but my point is that the reason I believe Barack Obama offers change we can believe in is because he has a different perspective than what we're accustomed to. He shows a great respect for other people, regardless of their beliefs. Because I believe God loves all of humanity, I believe he smiles when we show that love by listening to one another and respecting each other.
This morning I visited the Awaken service at Martin UMC, a small(ish) church near my house. The message was about change... about how Jesus offers true "change we can believe in." But what does that mean? I would like to go back to the basics of who God is. How is God different from what we believe him to be? And how can he change me?
This brings me to action. To quote a great American movie (National Treasure), "If there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action." This is a paraphrase of a line in our own Declaration of Independence. A greatly American document, but seemingly a very "biblical" perspective.
The most uncomfortable moment of Barack Obama's election-night speech for me was when he said:
But that hope for change didn't come straight from Barack Obama. That hope came from a newfound hope in who God is... and who he isn't.
My faith has been stretched and reshaped in recent years. I've had trouble believing in the God that much of "evangelical, conservative Christianity" promotes. The God who "hates gays" - who promotes prosperity theology and values big business and financial freedom over showing mercy to the poor and downtrodden and hopeless.
Many would have us believe that God is a Republican. I think not. He's not a Republican or a Democrat or even an American. God loves Muslims. God loves gay people and black people and my loud next-door-neighbors. God loves John McCain and Barack Obama. God loves Iran and North Korea and Russia. God started all of this in Iraq... you can't tell me he doesn't love that country.
We've so Americanized God that it seems people truly believe that God cares about our "right to bear arms" and whether or not we fly the American flag. I don't think God cares about that at all... I think he cares about (as MLK Jr. put it) the "content of our character." I agree that the founders of our country were guided by their faith in God. But that doesn't give America (or Americans) exclusive right to Him.
I've rambled... but my point is that the reason I believe Barack Obama offers change we can believe in is because he has a different perspective than what we're accustomed to. He shows a great respect for other people, regardless of their beliefs. Because I believe God loves all of humanity, I believe he smiles when we show that love by listening to one another and respecting each other.
This morning I visited the Awaken service at Martin UMC, a small(ish) church near my house. The message was about change... about how Jesus offers true "change we can believe in." But what does that mean? I would like to go back to the basics of who God is. How is God different from what we believe him to be? And how can he change me?
This brings me to action. To quote a great American movie (National Treasure), "If there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action." This is a paraphrase of a line in our own Declaration of Independence. A greatly American document, but seemingly a very "biblical" perspective.
The most uncomfortable moment of Barack Obama's election-night speech for me was when he said:
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.Eek. He's asking ME to get my hands dirty. To not just be a commentator, but rather a participant. And God is doing the same. What does that mean? I don't know for sure, and I'm kinda scared of it. Scared, but invigorated. I hope the hope doesn't stop here. I'm praying that God will give me the courage - the audacity - to follow through.