With those words, President-Elect Barack Obama challenged a nation.
He acknowledged that change wouldn’t happen in a day or a year or perhaps even within a single presidential term. Finally, the election is over. It is my hope that reasonable men and women will leave their extreme positions that are intended to create distance and “market recognition.” Now is the time to come together. I just pray that we will.
I don’t agree with all of the plans that the new president has made. I didn’t agree with all of the plans that Senator McCain had either. My comfort throughout the election has come simply from the knowledge that God is in control of everything and that, with this wondrous assurance, my post-election plan would simply be to encourage others to pursue peace.
Peace, of course, doesn’t happen in a vacuum devoid of conflict. Conflict is its constant companion. It flickers around the edges of even the most serene moments. Conflict flares from the fuel of the slightest disagreement.
Yet, it is true that we can pursue, enjoy, and embrace peace in the epicenter of conflict.
I’m not certain of what “change” has come to America. I think we would be better served by our calculated efforts to realize the potential of the hope that has always been here and in every nation history has known.
President-Elect Obama, in keeping with my post-election plan, I want to encourage you to pursue peace. Not at all costs and not with eyes shut to reality. But pursue peace responsibly and through understanding of not only the issues, but of the interests of all people. May God bless you.
Dr. Cope:
Very well written article. As you can see I’m a little late in responding to this particular entry. Since I only met you a couple of weeks ago, and didn’t know you during the election, I guess I can be excused, right?
I also pray for our new president, and as you expressed I don’t agree with everything that he does. But it gives me some solace to believe that when he’s flying on Air Force One or sitting in the oval office he has the same outlook and desire for peace as you and I do.
Have you read President Obama’s speech in Cairo? Sounds very familiar to some of the things you have taught us in class.
“America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.”
President Obama’s speech in Cairo, Egypt, titled “A New Beginning.”
God bless you and hope to see you again at graduation.
Rick Gomez
Rick,
Thanks for your comment. I did read the Cairo speech and was encouraged by much that was in it. A very good friend of mine from Israel has been saying for years that the majority of both Palestinians and Israelis know that the only real solution involves the establishment of a Palestinian state — and that same majority has no problem with that. The militant fringe groups on the Palestinian side and some powerful leaders among the Israelis continue to make decisions that postpone that outcome. The truth is that some people foster conflict in an effort to maintain control, not realizing that the opposite behavior is the only thing that amasses true and lasting power.
Obviously, that last statement is an oversimplification. But we’re back to trying to balance justice and mercy – the only true peace. It’s a prisoner’s dilemma scenario, don’t you think?
Good to hear from you.