Wearing red, white, and blue

Today is November 5th, 2008, and I have on my red, white, and blue. I even tried to find my flag pin because today I feel hopeful about my nation. Today, for the first time in quite a while, I feel optimistic and patriotic. I have hope.
Obama is not a savior; he is just a man. Singlehandedly, he will not be able to do all of the things he proposes, at least I hope not. A vote for Obama wasn’t a vote for everything he believes, stands for, and wants to do for this country and this world. In fact, there are some areas where Obama and I disagree, and I am still glad that our government is one with checks and balances.
What I do believe that may end with this election is the judging of others according to one moral compass. I believe that we have seen enough of the Pharasies preaching on the street corners, quite mean-spiritedly I might add. I have tried to observe through my own personal spiritual lens, and when I have done that, I have not seen the actions of my Christ nor the behaviors of his followers, the Christians.
I have seen innocent people die in a war that was a lie. I have seen forgiveness for inappropriate and immoral behaviors in the market place in the name of greed. I have seen people preaching on the street corners instead of praying in the closets to a personal God. And none of it has matched the words of Christ that I read in my Bible of forgiveness, inclusion, acceptance, tolerance, and love. It does not match my Christ who rebelled against judging, revenge, despising, hating, and exclusion.
So, no, Obama is not going to make everything okay, but in my heart of hearts, I believe this could be a start. May we turn to the New Testament this time and read anew the words of Christ in a changing world. It’s time to renew a right spirit.