Hope and Presidents

It’s 10:00 AM, and I am sitting in my usual place of study, Donkey Coffee and Espresso. On a typical Wednesday morning I would have to hope I can find a seat with a table beside the wall so I can plug in my laptop, spread out my books and notebooks, put on my headphones to drown out the largely political conversation all around me so I can work, write, and pray without distraction.

Today, however, it feels very strange. I am sitting in this place with, literally, one other person. I wonder where everyone is?

As it appears to be more and more likely that any minute now Senator Kerry will concede the contest and thus, President Bush will declare victory of the 2004 election, I am stricken with a disturbing thought. With all of the animosity there has been against the President of the United States, and with the strong divisive stances supporters of both campaigns took, and with all the “hope” so many people put in getting President Bush out of office. I wonder if many Kerry supporters weren’t as much for Senator Kerry as they were against President Bush? And will they continue to fight against him? Or can we truly "Move On" as so many have adamantly proposed?

This is what concerns me. I have heard some extremely derogatory statements made toward President Bush. And one can argue that they may be justified. Likewise, I have heard just as many belittling comments toward Senator Kerry. Again, some may feel those are warranted. But now (or in just a little while) the election is over. What will we do? Will we be more divided than ever? Will my acquaintances at the coffee shop move to another country because they simply cannot stomach the thought of living under the leadership of this President for four more years? I have heard these kinds of statements. I have seen them written on the chalkboard in the men’s restroom (a place for ongoing political commentary). What will happen now?

You must understand I am neither a President Bush supporter nor a President Bush attacker. But it seemed like you either had to be one or the other. My sentiment during all of this campaigning has been melancholy. It has troubled me to see the hatred, rage, divisive, win at any cost attitudes of both political parties. To quote Wayne Jacobsen, “I am appalled by the dishonest, angry rhetoric of this campaign that has further divided our nation at a time when we need to humble ourselves. I am appalled that both political parties have been corrupted by special interest money that rewards political cronies rather than to champion justice in our society. I am appalled that both campaigns preferred to spread lies about the other than to inspire the citizenry to a higher common good worthy of the place we hold in the world.” I could not have expressed my sentiment any better.

It has troubled me so much that I simply could not support either party or either candidate. I could not bring myself to vote for either candidate, or even for any of those from the lesser parties. I wasn’t looking for a perfect person, but a man worthy of the office. I wasn’t even concerned whether or not the man held “traditional Christian values.” If a Christian candidate for President were not qualified and worthy of the office, but non-Christian candidate was, I would have no problem voting for the non-Christian one. So it wasn’t even that. I guess I just did not want to merely vote for the one who was least flawed (the lesser of two evils).

So, in not voting for either candidate, I voted in protest against an election process I found repugnant and against two candidates who “acted more like name-calling bullies on a kindergarten playground than statesmen who would put the common good above their own self-interest.” And instead of voting for a candidate I could not personally endorse with good conscience, I lamented for the state of our nation, and I prayed. I prayed that God would speak to our next President (whoever it is) and give him the grace to lead our nation with wisdom, with compassion for the powerless, with a voice for the fatherless and stricken, and with a humility and love that would conquer all fear, doubt, and apprehension. May he be more concerned with love than with power. May He see You, God, as the all-powerful, all-wise Creator of all things… and yet Your greatest strength is Your love. Love is not something you possess. Love is who you ARE. If we know You, then we know true love. May our President come to a knowledge of You, and have the grace and strength to lead accordingly.

Whether you were for President Bush or against him, in just a few minutes you will be under his leadership again. How will you invest your life in the next 4 years? Will you not work toward peace, unity, love, and justice in your immediate surroundings? Of course you will. Control what you have the ability to control. Make a difference in your world. That statement has SO much more to say than simply “get out and vote.” That part is over. Now we have 1,460 days to make a difference before the next Presidential election. Think of how much we can do in that time!

So my question and challenge for the people of America is this. Are we simply campaigners? Do we campaign for change? Or do we MAKE change? Will Kerry supporters hang their heads and say, “Well, we have to suffer through these next 4 years until we get another chance to do something about it?” Is campaigning and electing the only way we can cause change? You would think so… with the millions of dollars we have spent in advertising for “change.”

Body of Christ, lets lead by example. Show the political world that there is a much better way to create change. Participate in local activism. Love your neighbor (love is an action by the way, not just something you feel). Speak up for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. Be their voice in local community decisions. Be an example for the power of humility and love in the world. Respect everyone… even if you disagree with them, especially those in office of leadership over you. Teach the world how to make real change take place. Be an example. Be completely humble and gentle at all costs.

I’m glad things are nearly over. I am glad because now we can get on with the living, instead of just portentously suggesting how we plan to live. The future is among us. It’s time to begin living once again. Where is our hope? Is our hope in whomever we elect as President?

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” - 1 Peter 1:3-9

“This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” - 1 Timothy 4:9-10

I’m out.

Comments

[Amy]

Very well said.

[george]

If we are to truly find out if Bush's policies work we need to and all dems need to let him have EVERY SINGLE thing he wants. Then see where the country is in 4 years.
(If we can survive it) God's will be done!

Peace

[Steve]

I think America spoke loudly. Largest margin of victory since 1988. 22% of ALL voters said moral issues was their number 1 priority and of that 22% nearly 80% voted for Bush - that's a huge voice. My prayer is all our leaders hear it LOUD & CLEAR!

As for economic & foreign policy, the war on terror, health care, taxes, eductaion, etc. etc. - blah, blah, blah! That all works out, always has, always will.

Psalm 33:12
II Chronicles 7:14

[Des]

This has been a very interesting, and yet disturbing election. If I could change one thing in the campaigning process, it would be a rule which says that you cannot say anything negative about your opponent. It really bothers me that most of the media blitz by both parties, is to trash the other one. Just tell me what you intend to do, if I vote for you, and back it up with action. I really hope that President Bush will allow God to lead him, during the next 4 years. With the majority of the House and Senate being Republican, perhaps it will make it easier to get their cooperation. I just pray for wisdom, unity and God's mercy, for our nation, as we begin this journey.

[chris]

I hear what you are saying Steve. But one thing the hard-core Religious Right always overlooks is that there are many more moral issues at hand besides homosexuality and abortion. Those are the two you always hear about. But just as much as abortion and gay marriage, I believe that poverty—caring for the poor and vulnerable—is a moral, religious issue... and the loss of innocent human life (possibly many of our brothers and sisters) all over the world is also a moral and religious issue.

I researched and did my best to measure the candidates by whether they enhance human life, human dignity, and human rights; whether they strengthen family life and protect children; whether they promote racial reconciliation and support gender equality; whether they serve peace and social justice; and whether they advance the common good rather than only individual, national, and special interests.

Jim Wallis from Sojourners Magazine says... "Religion was a big factor in this election, and "moral values" were named as a key issue for voters in the exit polls. On the Republican side, George W. Bush talked comfortably and frequently about his personal faith and ran on what his conservative religious base called the "moral issues." On the Democratic side, Senator John Kerry invoked the New Testament story of the Good Samaritan, talked about the importance of loving our neighbors, and said that faith without works is dead - but only began talking that way at the very end of his campaign."

In this election, one side talked about the number of unborn lives lost each year, while the other pointed to the 100,000 civilian casualties in Iraq. But both are life issues - according to the Pope, for example, who opposes both John Kerry's views on abortion and George Bush's war policy. Some church leaders challenged both candidates on whether just killing terrorists would really end terrorism and called for a deeper approach. And 200 theologians, many from leading evangelical institutions, warned that a "theology of war emanating from the highest circles of government is also seeping into our churches."

The context for Psalm 33:12 is...
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

There are "people whom God has chosen for his inheritance" (v. 12) from all over the world. We are not a "chosen" nation. His nation, His kingdom is not an earthly one. Earthly kingdoms will not be saved by the size of their army, and their strength is vain hope for deliverance.

[george]

FACT:
Only 33% of eligible voters voted for GWB.
Or only 51% of those who did vote voted for GWB.
I guess the other 48% should just be forgotten about?
GWB should be humbled and not so cocky as he was yesterday in the press conference. But as I said before the dems should give him all he wants and see where we are in 4 years.

Peace

[Bob]

Chris, as a newbie to your site (followed the link from next wave), this piece really caught my attention. You summed up my feelings very well. I did end up voting for Bush only because I never warmed up to the idea that Kerry actually meant anything he said. At least with Bush I knew what to expect (even if I didn't agree with it all). Your reply about moral issues really hit home. I teach a Sunday class on Micah. During week two we simply list current issues and then talk about how interrelated they are. "You say you like tax cuts, but that's going to impact housing for the poor." People never seem to think about the issues that are before them from a perspective of faith or from how those issues are interrelated. I'm always amazed by that. Thanks for your comments.

[chris]

Bob... thanks for the comments and the encouragement.