I’m proud to be an American this morning. I hope you are too. Stayed up (too) late watching the election results last night. McCain was gracious and gave a great speech. Got to be the hardest thing to do. Obama is a master orator and I thought his speech was really amazing. I thought it was a tasteful acceptance of victory. He didn’t whip that massive crowd into a wild frenzy, which he easily could have. He actually quieted them down, got them thinking, and painted a picture of the tough road ahead. He’s got a lot on his shoulders. We need to pray for him, his wife, his beautiful little girls. The next four years will be really challenging to say the least.
I’m not a civil rights expert by any means, but I do have the incredible privilege of pastoring a diverse church. About half of those who attend our church every week are African-American. I’ve done a lot of reading on slavery, civil rights, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, etc. I’ve had a lot of honest, frank conversations with African-American friends. I’ve been hungry to learn, to understand. And I’ve realized there are certain things I will never be able to fully comprehend as much as I try. But I think trying to understand is extremely important. I’ve talked with white people who don’t get it at all. They don’t try to understand. They say things like, “All that stuff happened in the past. Why should I be punished for it today?” The truth is, some really terrible things happened in our past, and some of it is still happening today. My heart breaks when I listen to some of my African American friends describe things that happen to them today. Not 30 years ago, today. In fact, just yesterday, while this nation was voting for a new president, we were encouraged by law enforcement officials to keep the front doors of our church locked during business hours because they had received credible threats against multi-cultural churches. Wow. That was yesterday.
On the other hand, the fact that an African-American family will take up residence in the White House and lead this country shows we have made major progress. For that I am so extremely grateful. I am proud of our country. Proud to be an American. I might not agree with all of President-elect Obama’s policies and convictions (I don’t agree with all of Senator McCain’s either), but I am proud to call him my president and I am proud of our country. Can I get a witness?
Pastor John, I was hoping you would weigh in on the election. This is a great post. I’d comment more, but I think your thoughts capture the picture. God bless the USA!
Thanks for sharing those thoughts. So many Christians have spoken in unloving, demeaning and hateful ways about the opposition – on both sides of the fence.
Thanks for showing the kind of Christian love that makes Jesus look good.
Pastor John and others who may read this.
I was one of about a dozen or so white kids at a predominately black school in rural MS during the 80′s. From 1st to 6th grade I grew up with most of my only friends being black boys and girls (Pharon Hicks) being one of them! What a small world! I met him 25 years later as I became one of his ushers! I like you have strived most of my life to understand the struggle between the races. My grandfather was a very racist man and that pushed me in the opposite direction. We need racial healing in this land and that is my ultimate prayer and a top reason I choose to be part of this church body!
It is an awesome time to be a Christian and be an American!
Let’s remember our nation and our new President in prayer!
God gives us wisdom during times of change and your words were words of wisdom. This is exciting time to see history being made. Our first African American President. We are priviledge to be an American and to be a part of The Life Church of Memphis. We realize in the end we all put our pants on the same way and will either end up in heaven or hell. Knowing if I die tonight my destination is heaven. I love you Jesus and Pastor John is the best Leader and Pastor.
What an awesome time for the United States of America. I am so glad we have a stable government and we have the CHOICE to be part of it. Thanks for your post Pastor John-definitely praying for a smooth transition of the office.
Great post! You expressed exactly what I’ve been feeling too! I’m so proud of our country and advancements we have made, but I’m praying for continual change and progress. I’m praying for peaceful change of power so that American can continue to be an example for racial reconciliation for the rest of the world. Being here in Africa, I’ve learned much about how big a problem racism is all over the world. I’m praying for Pres-elect Obama and his family, and the historic role he will play as president of our country.
Thanks for the great perspective Pastor John!
You are an awesome man of God. I love you and your family for just being objective and willing to accept everyone. It is an awesome time for us as American, to see that we can be united at this time. There is so many emotions that I feeling at this time, but I’m so happy to be apart of the Life Church of Memphis and to have you as my leader.
Thank you and continue to be you in God.
Much love to you and your family,
Vickie Betts
Yes and Amen!!! am proud of you Pr John for being the accomodating and accepting person that God called you to be. its true that some policies on both sides were obviously not in line with biblical values and some we have to keep praying about hard. Truly the best man carried the day. You are an exceptional man of God for trying hard to understand the African americans perspective and I believe God will continue to deliver souls to your care because you are a model of what Christs love is all about.
GOD BLESS PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
Bephine Shamalla Mboya
Thanks Pastor John for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate your willingness to talk about difficult subjects such as race relations. I feel over the next 4 years during the Obama Presidentcy it will be a topic that will be discussed more intently than in the past. I’m praying that we grow not just through being more diverse as a society, but that we grow throught being more trusting, less fearful and that we all seek to understant and accept those different from ourselves.