Ian & Jocelyn Barker

In case you didn’t hear, our next president will be Barack Obama. There has been a lot written by Christians and non-Christians about him, so I don’t really need to write much. Yet I have a few random thoughts about him.

1. I’m really proud that our nation did choose an African-American man as their next President. After he won, I watched as African-Americans were reduced to tears because of what Obama’s victory symbolized for them as a people. It was quite touching, but it took me a couple of days before I could more fully appreciate what it means for this nation and for those of different ethnicities.
2. I’m not as fearful about his presidency as I was before the elections. Maybe I’m being naively optimistic, but I’m still believing that the praying Church has authority to release light and truth into this nation that will push back darkness that will try to prevail. Yet wicked men will still do wicked things, and God continue to shake all that can be shaken.
3. I’m curious as to what will happen in these next 4 years. It will be interesting to see how the church responds. It will be interesting to see what happens politically. How will the world’s opinion of America change? What will happen when the seas don’t recede and our planet does not begin to heal? What will the public opinion of Obama be 4 years from now?
4. I think it’s a time for the Church to rethink how we are to be involved in politics. I, for one, have been wrestling throughout these elections with how the Church is to relate to the state. What influence are we to have? What is to be the nature of that influence? I have been grieved over my own propensity to elevate social justice issues higher than the glory of Christ; to care more about politics than about the beauty of Jesus. I feel the Lord calling me to stare at Him and preach the message of a coming King and a coming Kingdom. That is to be our message of hope and change.
5. Though I applaud America for choosing an African-American as their next president, I mourn over the depth of compromise that has come into the Church regarding the plight of the unborn. I fear that we as the people of Christ have rallied around an unholy cry for “change” and neglected the cries of the unborn. This disturbs me because the shedding of innocent blood will not go unanswered.
6. Prayer is still the answer. God’s answer to wickedness rising up across the earth is the praying Church. No one can release light and truth into the human spirit or a nation except for the praying Church. Our words govern the earth. As those who stand for life, our cries are still to be, “Jesus, I plead your Blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America.” As Christians living in America, we are to pray for President Obama and his wife, Michelle (see my wife’s dream.)
7. We win in the end. Jesus is returning very soon and He is coming for a bride who will be made ready. I am confident that God is calling for His people into greater depths of love, truth, righteousness, and light. Righteousness will prevail in our nation and Jesus will establish His Kingdom. This is our great hope and it is our great calling to proclaim this in whatever way we can. For this, I am thankful.