What Obama’s Victory Means

It is no secret I rooted for Mitt. I have autographed campaign hats to prove it. So what does an Obama victory mean, as a Christian?

It is important to start by saying that as a Christian – we operate on two plains. The earthly plain and the heavenly. For Scripture teaches that

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things… Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, (temporarily wants) and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:15-20

Too many Christians choose only one plain OR the other. They either ignore the political arena and spout spiritual platitudes and ignore the real dangers that politicians and government can wreck on the people they govern and in so doing waste the freedom that has been bought for them on battle fields around the world, OR they get so wrapped up in politics they place unmerited hope in a party or politician (on either side) to bring “Hope and Change.” I suspect they are ones really depressed today. (or gloating)

As one whose candidate lost last night, I have two separate responses. As I must respond from ‘each citizenship’ separately.

As an American citizen:

I am stunned. I am forced to agree with a tweeter I follow who asked, “Is this what a cult of personality is like? When we just like the person & don’t care about the damage they do?” I am sad that we have entered a new normal of 8% unemployment and what that means for real people out there, when our opponents whined and complained about Bush’s 5%. I’m concerned that qualifications no longer matter in the office of president. National office is now, no matter how much we don’t like it, all about marketing and communications. Track records mean nothing. We just ran a man arguably more qualified to be President than anyone else in the modern era… and lost. Soon, ObamaCare will burden both the national economy and employers and along with Social Security and MediCare be broke, overrun with bureaucracy and unlike anything before it, invade our privacy and put a drag on the economy. This isn’t “gloom and doom” – it’s common sense. But Obama wasn’t elected because of facts. He was elected because of a fundamental change going on in America… personal greed. People want stuff given to them and will vote for who is handing the stuff out – whether it can be afforded does not matter. And is it any surprise, when most Americans live that way themselves? They buy the platitudes and wonderful sounding emotional arguments without any investigation and they also have learned that it is the end that justifies the means as the ugliest campaign in American history is credited with the victory. Pundits claim both sides “played dirty” – but that is hard to back up. One side talked about the other’s record, the other attacked the man himself with baseless lies, profanity and vulgarity… and won. The lesson? Being classy, respectful and a gentleman = losing. It speaks more of the character of the nation than it does of the leader. Like it or not, we got a man who reflects the direction we are headed. Reversing course was rejected.

So, as a citizen, what does it mean? It means America can still thrive – but not because of government, but because of the spirit of Americans. I’m not one that is despairing and assuming a horrible four years to come. Americans can, and I believe will triumph, and regrettably Obama will get the credit, even as he puts stumbling block after hindrance in the way of progress. It is going to get harder for businesses to succeed and create jobs. We will not see the quick growth and recovery we could have, but we will prevail despite. We always have. We have the best and the brightest on earth! So at the individual level – if you haven’t already, you need to go against the grain.

But know this, you must live within your means. (That is soooo unAmerican today!) Pay off your credit card bill every month. If you have debt, get out. (Other than your mortgage.) There are going to continue to be a lot of people in need, and if your financial affairs are not in order, you will not have the margin to help others. You’ll need to be able to be responsive to assist others. It is going to continue to be hard on churches and non-profits. Giving will stay down. Ours should increase! They’ll need it more. Don’t hoard, bless others who need it.

Don’t follow the trend of WANTING and TAKING. That is the trend in America today. Be one of the GIVERS and DOERS. That is the best hope for America.

As a citizen of Heaven:

The election of Obama, 59,837,874 over Romney 57,191,003* was narrow. As stated above, many people like what Obama stands for, or at least, aren’t bothered by it. (Many were just scared of Mitt as they believed a caricature of him.) I’m not going to list those items, as I’ve moved from political to spiritual here – but much has to do with right to life, religious freedom and a practical atheistic view of the world. So as a Christian, my response is simple. It is a reminder that we live in a lost world. No surprise here.

I expect things to get even more unfriendly toward the Church and toward religious freedom and toward non-profits. But I’m not worried. Our freedoms are still incredible, and amazing when you consider the plight of Christians over the landscape of history. We have it pretty good compared to our brothers and sisters in many other places on this globe, even right now. This election should remind us that HALF of Americans at least, are very lost. (Granted some Christians voted for Obama, and many non-Christians voted for Romney.) But the point remains, our work is clear:

Some of us, as citizens of America worked hard for our candidate. (Whoever he happened to be.) Whether you are on the losing side, like me, or whether you are reading this and your guy won, (congrats), wouldn’t it be something if that same energy, money, passion, time and enthusiasm went toward the One who truly CAN bring “Hope and Change?”

As a citizen of Heaven, this is my last political post for another four years, when my American duty to engage in politics will kick in again. But I have very little power – just one vote – but I have a lot of power through the Holy Spirit to campaign for Jesus every day!

So today I am announcing a renewed effort to campaign for Jesus Christ, the best hope – not only for America, but for the World.

JESUS CHRIST – 2012 and Beyond!

* As of this post.

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