Sowing Seeds: Obama’s First Week
I have been amazed at the amount of hatred and sniping that has been seen this week. I suppose I shouldn’t be. But I am amazed anyway, and sickened.
It’s hard to put political feelings aside, I realize. But I recognize that I’m part of a greater citizenship than that of a particular political party. I’m a citizen of a heavenly kingdom first, and of a great nation second. I think most of us recognize that.
So again, it’s amazing to me to see people already plotting our new President’s demise, after only three days in office. I see them everywhere – CNN, Fox News, OpEds in papers, religious forums… even on Facebook. There are, of course, the continued gripes about his policies – whether real or only imagined. And then there are the petty jabs about something he said or did that was awkward… as if, just like our previous presidents, Mr. Obama is not a real human being who makes mistakes from time to time.
Is it possible that seeds of anger and division are already being sown, when the soil is only newly plowed?
I don’t suffer from the “savior delusion” many are claiming. I’m as skeptical as many of you. Barack Obama is not Jesus – he won’t be able to fix all our problems. This side of heaven, no one is going to be able to fix all the ills that plague humanity.
But whether John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Al Franken or even Fred Thompson had become president this week, I have concerns that are greater than any awkwardness those people might present in their first days in office. In fact, a bit of awkwardness might be expected… if nearly anyone stepped into the most powerful office in the world without a bit of awkwardness, I’d be worried.
No matter who you voted for, Barack Obama is our president in a historic and crucial time for our nation. In the midst of several great crises – economic, energy, environmental, and international relations to name a few – how can someone root for our elected leader to fail, and thereby allow our nation to slide into even worse condition than it already is? Just because they hold a personal dislike for someone? Because they want someone they “like” to swoop in and “save” us all instead?
Many imply it, but only Rush Limbaugh has been brave enough to actually say it so far: “I hope he fails.” Granted, Mr. Limbaugh can say something like that, since he has millions of dollars and his reputation is already secure.
Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh is not governed by certain “Laws” and “Policies” that affect me as a Christ Follower. Didn’t Jesus say to love and to pray for our enemies (Matt. 5 to for a start)? Didn’t Paul urge us to respect and pray for our leaders and authorities (1 Tim. 4, Romans 13)? Is there anywhere in the Scriptures where bitterness and discord are encouraged?
This is the time to support our president in prayer and in action, and work for the good of our country. It’s the season to sow seeds of encouragement and unity, to work together to nurture the ideals that have made this nation great. It’s time to look carefully and critically at the policies and practices of a new president, not his dance moves or his verbal stumbles.
The seeds we sow now will be reaped later. What kinds of seeds are we sowing in these crucial days?
