Goodbye Bush, Good Day Barack

Goodbye Bush, Good Day Barack

 

Today is Tuesday, November 4th…the day that we have been waiting to say goodbye to the Bush Administration and hello to “Change.”  Our country is in the greatest financial turmoil since the Great Depression.  Americans across these United States of America are upset, hurt, and angry.  Indeed, our land is sick with the diseases of greed, selfishness, and hatred.  However, II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will for their sin and heal their land.” America can be healed. If we are to see America return and eclipse her former glory, we have to properly say goodbye to President George Walker Bush. If we don’t, President Barack Hussein Obama will be limited by our collective bitterness.  Using the presidential election as a canvas, I endeavor to paint a picture of how to say goodbye to people that has caused you great pain through a six step process. 

Step 1. Humble, pray, and seek God’s face.

Let’s face it; it is very difficult to pray when someone has hurt you where it hurts most, your dignity.  America has lost is dignity.  We are swimming in debt.  The Saudis (and Chinese) are pimping us.  Around the world, we are not respected anymore.  It is embarrassing to be American.  While in Strasbourg, France this past May, some American colleagues were heckled and assaulted with water for being American and Black.  We have to humble ourselves and acknowledge how low we have sunk.  Similarly in relationships that have gone south, we face the reality of the imposed humility.  In this lowly posture, we have a great opportunity to see God’s face.  One of my favorite sculptures of Jesus is the one wherein the only way you can see His face is to be on your knees looking up.  It is from the position of prayer, that we are able to begin the process of healing.

Step 2. Repent (turn from wicked ways)

Now, that God’s face is in plain sight, we can be fully aware of our wickedness.  Let’s be real, Bush was put into office because we voted him there (or did not vote at all!).  Whatever the reasons, you must repent.  Oftentimes, we never own up to our part in a dysfunctional relationship.  We chose to be with them.  We re-elected them or gave them a second chance even after the drama they put us through.  God will show you the err of your ways.  When He does, kindly repent and move onto the next step.

Step 3. Forgive the person

Now that your heart is contrite and vulnerable no longer to deception, but God, you can begin the process of forgiveness.  Yes, this is the hardest part.  And I know you don’t want to, but I know you know that you have to.    Jesus summed up forgiveness so eloquently on the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  The first part of forgiveness requires you to forgive the person.  More specifically, you have to remove judgment of their identity.  Whether you realize it or not, the purpose of forgiveness is to reconcile the people unto Christ so that His image can be reflected through them in the earth.  Both the abused and abuser must have their identities reconciled unto Christ.  Forgiving the offender releases both the offender and the offended into the hand of God for reshaping. 

Step 4. Forgive the sins of the person

We have to forgive the sins of President Bush on America.  The sins that has caused destruction of our great country.  America, like us, can be destroyed by the trespasses of a person or a group of people (e.g. Congress).  In order to heal, rebuild, and progress we must for those specific trespasses.  For it was Jesus that said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)  Those trespasses adversely shaped your identity.  Studies on sexually abused children show that the repercussions of abuse reverberant through adolescent years into adulthood in the form of a limited ability to sustain friendships and intimate relationships.  Therefore, in forgiving those trespasses God then will forgive you and reconcile your identity free from the influence of those sins. 

Step 5. Record the lessons and release the pain

In America, historians will record the lessons of an economy bloated by easy access to credit (inclusive of predatory lending) and overspending caused by the policy decisions from the Bush Administration.  Likewise, we must capture the wisdom from painful relationship experiences by journaling them.  The process of encapsulating that experience releases the pain of that experience and propels us into the next era of life. 

Step 6. Praise God for the wisdom and coming blessings

Now, we are able to understand Romans 8:28 when it proclaims, “For we know, that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.” Praising God for seeing you through the past 8 years of the Bush Administration when we saw terrorism strike New York City, two economic recessions, the foreclosure on millions of homes, and the greatest government debt in the history of the world.  For we, the U.S.A., are still standing.  We may be battered right now. We may be not yet able to reach our full potential. But, in the words of Antwone Fisher, “I am still standing. I am still strong….” In this same spirit, we praise God for allowing us to persevere.  Because, there are blessings and benefits awaiting us.   Psalm 103:1-5 promises:

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all this is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satifsies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I believe today, at this very moment, we have woken up from the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamt for America.  The dream of a land where men from all races and creeds could sit down at the table of brotherhood.  The dream of a land free from the sickness of hatred and racism; a land free from the addiction to greed and power.  The dream of a country that is now positioned to disseminate vaccines of hope, love, and unity to fight against the unrelenting viruses of fear, hate, and division to every citizen.  MLK died for this dream.  JFK died for this dream. Our African ancestors died for this dream. 

Dream Martyrs-MLK and JFK

I mention this history because all Americans, White, Black, Brown, and Other, have been affected by the sins of our ancestors.  Saying goodbye to those sins through the six step process outlined above can heal not only each individual, but say hello to a healed America over time.  In a same manner, we can wake up to the dreams that God has called us to when say goodbye to oppressors through forgiveness, and hello to emancipators through praising of God. 

In closing, tonight when polls close, let’s say goodbye to Bush.  Then tomorrow, let’s say good day Barack.

As always, fight for your dream!