Hanley Smith-Downs:
Here’s a version of something I wrote a few weeks ago:
I wish Obama would bow out of the race. I wish he’d go home with his wife and, together with their children, learn to love this country. To be grateful for all they’ve been given. And take a good, long look into his own heart. And with God’s help, learn to love the sinners who’ve wounded him throughout his life.
I wish he’d see America as a country, while not perfect, still a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Rather than try to change her, respect the wisdom of her founding, and be grateful that there have been – and stll are – men and women selfless enough to assure her security and our blessed freedoms.
And then when he realizes all these blessings, I wish he’d go back to Trinity United Church of Christ. And I wish he’d become the leader he says he is. I wish he’d become the “unifer” he’s claimed is his calling.
I wish he’d stand up in the congregation, and when they start to sing his praises (as I once saw on YouTube “Obama, Hallelujah”) he’d shake his head and say, “No.” I wish he’d turn and point to the Cross. And tell them, “There is the source of your salvation.”
I wish he’d tell them they’ve been told a lie. For it is not in lamentng our wounds and the “enemy” who has inflicted them that will raise us from our hellish existence, but in forgiving those who’ve sinned against us. As God has forgiven us our sins against Him.
If Obama were to do all this, and return to political life, I believe he’d have a record of leadership – and accomplishment – he could show us. Instead of a record of self-serving, politically motivated machinations.
For I think we’d see a different Obama. A different Michelle. And a different congregation. I believe they’d no longer look to government to provide for them or to give them what they think they lack; they’d realize that now they had all they’d ever need, no matter their circumstances.
And Mr. Obama would have a different political agenda. One that would earn my vote.
