Weighing in

Everyone and their brother has been blogging, Twittering, journaling or arguing the election results from last Tuesday. I tried to keep my thoughts inside, only discussing with those I felt would really agree or understand my point of view because I just didn't feel like arguing or debating anymore. Those that know me will be shocked to find out that it is possible. But watching everything unfold has brought a couple of recurring thoughts to my mind, and I really have to get my thoughts down and make my peace with the issue. With that said, please read to the bottom of the post before clicking away. My final takeaway may surprise you.

Yes, I was disappointed in the results of Tuesday's election, and saddened that I couldn't fully rejoice with my community and family and friends over the historic rise of an African American to the highest office in our land.  There is nothing I would have loved to do more than to join that small group of people huddled around the Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday night listening to the returns on a transistor radio (yes, they still make those, kiddos). The unexpected and hidden issues of race and prejudice that I have overcome (and am still working on) in my own life made this a victory that I wanted so desperately to be a part of. What an amazing experience that would have been to be looking into the face of Abraham Lincoln, on the very steps that Martin Luther King made his historic "I Have a Dream" speech while the results were announced! To see the hope and excitement that President-elect Obama has enacted is energizing, and I understand it and love it. I really, really do. I do not want to diminish the enormity of the week's events by saying, "It's great that we have a black president, but...". It's not fair to those who died and suffered injustice and bigotry and who fought unmovable powers to see this day come to pass. 

But I have to be honest when I say that I have a hard time believing, however much I may want to, that Mr. Obama's voting record will allow me to sleep soundly. There will be no one to pass the buck to when he feels like voting "present" instead of "yes" or "no". For me, politics comes down to a simple question: do you believe that government is the solution, or is government the problem? I strongly believe in the latter. The church should be stepping up and doing the work that Government can't do. Government cannot share Christ's love when they feed the poor. It will not be a reflection of Christ's service on Earth when they are bailing out a homeowner on the brink of foreclosure. Only followers of Christ can be that picture and show that gesture with any meaning. That is the mission of the CHURCH, not the government. So yes, I am concerned about Mr. Obama's voting record, opting to increase the size of the government instead of shrink it. Very concerned. Though I am not a one-issue voter, I do question the judgment of a man who does not believe that a baby born full-term after an abortion that did not "take" should be given protection (even most staunch abortion rights supporters oppose infanticide). 

All this said, I am encouraged by the bipartisan tone that seems to be spreading across the country. (Check out this cool link.) If Mr. Obama screws this up, Republicans will be a shoe-in for 2012. But here's the thing: I don't want him to screw it up. There is way too much at stake. I want him to succeed because we have to. A big change is coming and I can literally feel it in my gut. I hope it is for the better, and I'm trying very hard to quell my cynical nature that tells me it probably isn't. I'm giving Obama a blank slate and the benefit of the doubt. His political ideology goes against almost everything I believe in, so this is an act of trust. Trust that my God is sovereign over all and that my hope and change comes from Him, not from a man in the White House. My parents had a philosophy by which they raised my sister and me: you have our trust until you lose it. And that is what I will say to our new President. You have my trust until you lose it. I am, until he proves me wrong, an Obama supporter; not because I agree with him, but because we can't face these challenges divided, and because I trust that my God hand-picked him for a reason. I sincerely pray that it is for a good reason. 

And if Mr. Obama lets me down, like all humans will, I will continue to follow God's command for me to pray for my leaders. Why anyone would want to be President is beyond me, but facing those challenges without the wisdom and guidance of our Savior is unwise. I would encourage all 5 of my readers to do the same.