Reflections upon an Historic Moment...

 

No matter how you voted, no matter who you are or where you live, if you are an American, you must understand that today was a once in a lifetime moment.  I suppose each of us has processed it in our own way.  I watched most of the inaugural address with my Bible Study friends.  Twitter friends have also been exchanging observations all day.  But, this afternoon I sat down with the words of our President's address and read them slowly and reflectively.  I looked through images, read Rick Warren's prayer, and let the events of the day wash over me.  Here are some thoughts.

First, the irony of the inauguration occurring on the day following our nation's commemmoration of Dr. King is inescapable. I watched as the cameras panned the crowd, looking away in the distance to the Lincoln Memorial.  I thought of Dr. King standing on those steps almost 46 years ago and daring to dream.  Could he see it?  I could not help but wonder if at times President Obama felt as if he were looking across the mall at him as this next chapter was commencing.  Certainly, he understands the legacy he has inherited.  A friend shared this quote from John Perkins with us this morning.  It eloquently expresses the lineage of which Barack Obama is now part.  "Rosa sat so that Martin could march so that Barak could rise so that we could stand. Now, stand we must."

"Without a vision the people perish." The inaugural speech does not define policy, but it is certainly a pivotal opportunity to communicate what matters most...to say this is what I dream for our country.  Though the hard work of implementation is ahead, I do like many of our President's dreams.  And, I believe by and large he did an artful job of communicating them, with a little help from a friend.  Though there does not seem to be that single statement that sums up the essence of the speech...an "Ask not what your country can do for you..." or "We have nothing to fear but fear itself.", here are some of the words and thoughts that most resounded with my spirit.

Speaking of our forefathers:

"...they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."

To those who wish us harm: 

"We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you....To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.  To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Especially dear to my heart were these words to the impoverished, and this challenge to those of us who have more than enough: 

"To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.  And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect.  For the world has changed, and we must change with it..."

"...Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations." 

May it be so.

And finally, I echo these words of Rick Warren's prayer on behalf of our President and our nation:

"...Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race or religion or blood, but by our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the Earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care...."

Comments

[Brandon]

It was certainly a monumental day in my life and our history. I appreciate your selections from the transcripts which were truly some defining moments. God bless!

[David Groenenboom, Brisbane, Australia]

Dear friend,

Thank you for your considered thoughts. May your President's own words be fulfilled positively and consistently both in the US and through US foreign & aid policy: "[the] people [of tomorrow] will judge you on what you can build..." May he be a builder of good, right, restoration, humility, justice, compassion and peace.

Shalom,

[Steve Shepherd of MobileCause]

Very well said! What sank in as deeply as anything else happened not today, but last night while watching the Kid's Inauguration" on the Disney Channel with my 8 yr old daughter. I don't recall any previous generation of youth engaged so positively in an administration, let alone an inaugural celebration. Can it be that our young people have been sprinkled with a dose of hope and purpose? I hope and pray that something takes root.

;o) Steve (a proud member of the body of Christ...and Pastor Rick's church)

[Michelle Sutton]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Those were some incredibly moving phrases you highlighted. I missed the whole thing because I had to work today. But I am catching up now. Your observations are appreciated.