On January 20, 2017, in our great nation there was a transfer of human power from President Obama to President Trump. Of course, God is alive and shall always be the highest power to whom all humans are to submit in every area of life, including governmental life.
I certainly am grateful to President Obama for willingly taking up the extremely difficult task of the presidency. I am grateful to the American people of all races for moving our great nation forward by electing President Obama as our nation’s undeniably first black president, not once but twice. Like all presidents before him, I am confident he did some things that were good and some things that were bad for us as a nation. When President Trump time ends, however long, l am confident the same will most likely be true of him.
I stood with President Obama when I believed he was right; and, I stood against him when I sufficiently believed he was wrong. But in standing against him I did not do so with hatred, disdain, ill- will, or violence. Likewise, I will stand with President Trump when I believe he is right; and, I will stand against him when I sufficiently believe he is wrong. But in standing against him I will not do so with hatred, disdain, ill-will, or violence.
As a Black American, my hope was always that no White American would be racist and/or violent toward President Obama. Therefore I would lack both spiritual/moral and intellectual integrity if I was racist and/or violent towards President Trump in thoughts, words, and/or actions. As a Christian and particularly as a Christian Minister I would be hypocritical and spiritually defective in mind and heart if I possessed such racist and/or violent character. I would be even more so if I incited/provoked offensive racist and/or violent character in those of my own race and/or defensive racist and/or violent character in those of other races. Let us not be the evil we accuse others of being or having been!
We as citizens are associated with various groups. Some associations are biological such as sex and race. Some are non-biological such as religion/faith, political party, and socio-economic class/status. Non-biologicals involve both elements of choice and imposition by others to various degrees.
No matter how you voted or didn’t vote, Donald J. Trump is your President if you are a citizen of the USA. If you want to change your citizenship and move to another country you are free to do so. But recognize the Civil War has already been fought. There should not be any expectation of dividing our nation’s land into separate countries. This includes no State Secession. Not for blacks and not for whites. Not for Christians and not for Islamist. Not for Conservatives and not for Liberals. Forget it if you are hoping for that, no matter the group or groups with which you are associated. It would move our nation backwards. It would not be good for you or your descendants.
So let us move forward to a more perfect union rooted in the mind and heart of the one true God especially as expressed in the biblical Jesus Christ. Yes, this move is fundamentally a spiritual war in which we are enjoined from the time of birth. So then let us fight this honorable fight of faith with love not hate. Let us do so with unity not division. But let that unity be righteous unity; let it not be like the Tower of Babel’s unrighteous unity. Let us do it to achieve for all, equitable righteous social and economic justice, etc.
In his first inauguration speech in 2009 President Obama said: “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
In his inauguration speech today President Trump said: “…The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer…To Americans: You will never be ignored again. Your voice, your hopes and your dreams will define our American destiny…”.
Now giving both President Obama and President Trump “the benefit of the doubt” I submit to you that both speak of the same people: all Americans. That includes you if you are an American citizen. If you are not an American citizen and desire to be one, then with decency and order become one legally and that will also apply to you.
The Holy Scriptures remind us:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:1-4)
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
Sincerely, with prayers for all Americans!
Chaurcey
