Change, and Hope!

Well, it's all over bar the shouting, and Barack H. Obama is now the President of the U.S.of A. in office. I didn't sit glued to the TV all day, watching the inauguration, but I did watch the highlights on the evening news programme.

The new President certainly seems to have galvanised a large percentage of the citizens of the USA - although a radio interview to which I listened in the car, this evening, clearly indicated that, in the Southern states, there remains a considerable number who have no time for this "black" leader of their nation. (Actually, he is not black, but "mixed-race". Given a good summer holiday in France, my skin is almost as dark as his!)

The two words that seem to sum up the new presidency are "change" and "hope". The campaign slogan, as I recall, was "It's time for change"; and the majority of the people seem to be of the opinion that this President brings with him new hope - not only for the USA, but even for the whole world! Time alone will tell whether, or not, Mr Obama is truly "fit for purpose"; the proof of the pudding will be in the eating thereof!

Apart from it would seem, some Islamist extremists, most of those who express any interest in such political goings-on wish the new President well. The task ahead is not going to be easy - but it seems that he is well aware of that!

As I stated in a post when his election was confirmed, there is much that is attractive about the man, although I do have reservations about some of his policy positions. However, my bigger concern is the recent use of the term "saviour" for this man. As a committed Christian I have to proclaim that there is only one Saviour of mankind - the "... one Mediator Who can reconcile God and humanity: the Man Christ Jesus." (I Tim.2:5). It is at His Name, and His Name alone, that "... every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that [He] is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil.210-11).

It is this same Jesus Who guarantees real change in the lives of those who truly commit themselves to Him; and Who gives real hope, not just for time, but even for eternity.