No Chains on Me…

Don’t want to let the historic event pass without a little commentary. I am excited to live in a day and age when the inauguration of a black man to the presidency of the United States has been realized. I am a huge fan of Martin Luther King Jr. and the vision that he projected on our nation and the non-violent way in which he worked to progress that dream towards reality. To be alive during a time when such a dream has been partially fulfilled is something else. I do not think, unlike many of the news commentators, that this signals the end of racism or prejudice in this nation. I believe if anything, it showed how far we may have yet to go to be reconciled to one another and to judge a person “[not] by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I think what this event shows is that we are taking the battle of public racism off the table in a sense and it now becomes much more of a personal battle, to break individuals of their prejudices and hatred of others, which is not something we can do by legislation. However, The inauguration of President Barack Obama shows that we are moving forward to where, at least corporately, we are willing to say as a nation that racism is not acceptable. This is a historic time to be sure and I am glad to have witnessed it.

I was asked at one point, “how does a Christian anarchist view this day.” It was asked in jest, but I think it is a serious question to evaluate, seeing as how I still think a somewhat unconventional form of anarchy is what I lean towards.

I think that I view a day like February 20th, 2009 with an appreciation of the historicity of such an event and with hope for the future as far as racial reconciliation. It still does not, however, give me hope for a better government. I do like much of what Obama has declared as his platform for his presidency, and I wish him the best in the sincerest way, in hopes that I am wrong about government and its seeming ability to corrupt and its many shortcomings to provide for what its citizens need. I am excited to see where the Obama administration takes the nation and how things change, for better or worse. However, I do not believe that Obama or anyone else, regardless of their skin color, will be able to change the course of the world for the better or provide our nation what we really need over the course of a presidency.

And what do we really need? The same things I don’t think that “simply” putting a black man in office will accomplish: A genuine love for our neighbor, a caring spirit to those in need, and MOST importantly, the name of Jesus to be proclaimed. These are things that need to be changed on an individual level, with the Church of God leading the way in showing love, in caring for the hurting, and in spreading news that Jesus, not Obama, saves.

So pray for our nation, our new President, our Church, and ourselves, that we would turn from our wicked ways, seek the Lord’s face and that he would turn and heal our land.