In the photo on the front page of today’s New York Times was of Barack Obama standing alone on a stage waving to a crowd of 10,000 gathered in Denver. The Denver capital building loomed in the distance. I don’t know why but this picture moved me.
I am not what you would call an avid follower of politics. I dabble, I pay attention, I have an informed opinion, but I don’t know everything about every political candidate from the time our nation was founded until now. This current election feels like it has been going on forever and I am excited that it will be over in a little more than a week……I hope. In fact, I voted on Saturday. Absentee ballot. The only thing I dislike about voting this way is that I don’t get an “I voted” sticker. I know that sounds crazy, but I am proud I voted this year. I am eager to discuss with other people how I voted and why. I am happy to be part of the record number of young people that have been moved to take part in the democratic process this time around. And why am I happy, because of hope. I know, I know, the idea of hope has been shamelessly tossed around these last few months and even used as a cheesy badge of honor. Nevertheless, I feel it. I really want Barack Obama to win. I know that a single person can’t change the course of our country. I know that he’s not a savior. I know that God is ultimately in control and any person in a position of authority, in our country or any other, and that person is at best a willing conduit of God’s power. That said I don’t believe that God favors our country over any other. I don’t believe our country should bomb other countries in God’s name. I don’t believe Barack Obama is qualified only because he is a Christian. In fact, I’d probably vote for him even if he wasn’t.
Whether we like it or not, whether we want to believe it or not, our country is a mess right now. We have huge financial problems. We are in a war we can’t afford and very likely can’t win. And those are just two of the many ills that plague us. In fact, even though I desperately want Obama to win, I almost fear it. I fear it because of the mess he will be faced with the minute he steps into office. And I worry that he is just going to be faced with too much, that there is too much going sour for him to succeed they way I think he could. I want him to win, and do a fantastic job. I want him to mobilize people and countries to take a more diplomatic view of conflict resolution and inspire people to work together for good. I want him to be that willing conduit of God’s power. And if he is, maybe he can succeed regardless of what we throw at him.
2 comments:
God hates democrats. God is a card-carrying member of the GOP.
You bring up a good point though-- two guys trying this hard to become president at this day in age is like you and me fighting over a janitorial job at a factory in which 10 years of poop built up in a tiny pipe just exploded. And the winner is... possibly the loser that doesnt get the job?
Nice analogy, I like it. :)
Post a Comment