Why I'm excited about the 44th president

On the heels of a historic inauguration day, as the country welcomes a new administration, I’m looking forward to what the next four years will bring. Regardless of how much one agrees with his positions, Obama has impacted this country in a unique way. Here’s why I’m excited about the 44th president of the United States.

A country uniting
Obama’s inauguration is testament to the way our country is uniting where we once stood at odds. The historical precedent of the first African American president is something that marks the progression of unifying the once great racial divide. It’s also exciting to see a drastically polarized political world move a little closer together. I will be interested to see how Barack “reaches across the aisle” to unite a polarized government. Unity is at the heart of Christ. The Bible is pretty clear that nationalities, race, sex, or any other way we divide and assign value doesn’t have a place in the Kingdom of God. This presidency seems like a step in the right direction.

Hope
There is no doubt that Obama has brought a renewed hope to people in less than hopeful circumstances. Hope is a perhaps one of the most valuable tools for change that God provides. While I believe true hope is not found in a man or a country but in God alone, I do see how God can use influential people as agents of hope. If all truth is God’s truth, is all hope God’s hope?

New focus
I am excited to see how President Obama will help open a new focus on issues that have been in the background for evangelical Christians. Issues like poverty, social justice, and the environment are already beginning to receive more focus from the evangelical world.

A call to action
I also appreciate Obama’s candor in admonishing Americans to work together in facing these difficult times. A sense of ownership and responsibility for one’s neighbor, whether next door or across the world, is aligned with the type of life Christ called us to live.

I may not agree with all of Obama’s positions, but I can enthusiastically support much of the change he symbolizes. So as the excitement and celebration of this historic day tones down, I’ll be looking forward to seeing a nation step up to the challenges we face with unity, hope, and fresh awareness of the issues.