CHURCH!!!!!RISE UP!!!!!

Yesterday was a very historical day. Barack Obama; a man of African descent, was elected president of these United States. 

I thought of all my ancestors; black and white, who fought against this day and for it. I thought of all the senseless beatings and murders that took place based on the color of a persons skin. I thought of all the long, sweltering days that slaves spent working for a "massa', trusting in a God they'd never seen to bring them deliverance and freedom. 

I did not vote for Barack Obama. 

As a woman who has had a miscarriage and seen the tiny, bloody form of a fetus and held it in her hands, I will never believe that it is right to murder a child no matter how small. I could not vote for a man who would allow women to use abortions as a form of birth control. 

I did not vote for John McCain.

Although his views were much more like the beliefs i have as a Christian; when in prayer I could not find the peace I asked for in order to vote for him. 

So I exercised my right to write in a candidate. 

However, as an African American woman, I cried tears of joy last night. I cannot imagine the dreams that were fulfilled last night. Innocent blood that cried out from the ground because in a sense, freedom was attained. A black man was now recognized for his character, wisdom, and hopefulness rather than the color of his skin. 

Yet as a Christian I felt the joy in knowing that my Jesus is soon to return for His church. 

The bible speaks of times like this. "The last days"...when people would be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. ( 2 Timothy 2-7a)

"Now concerning the times and seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you  yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as a pregnant woman and they will not escape." 1 (Thessalonians 5:1-3)

Somewhere inside us a FIRE should be burning brighter and hotter than ever. THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS. We must work while its day for night is coming! Whatever God has put on our hearts to do, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT!!!! I am APPALLED at this defeated attitude I'm seeing and hearing from Christians who are obviously not happy with last nights results. Our trust is never in a political candidate, but in our GOD who is all powerful and all knowing. Why are people acting so surprised by these turn of events? And if NOTHING else, why can't we celebrate the monumental occasion of a minority being voted in a presidential office? Is there still an underlying river of hypocrisy called RACISM that we cannot put our differences aside and respect the victory of a people?

And as African Americans (who are Christians), are we so caught up in the "victory" that we forget our first responsibility is to our Savior? That while this is a joyous occasion for the overcoming of a people, there is now a president going into office that will be targeted on a daily basis? Are we naive to the fact that these attacks may fall down on us as well? 

Why are we so caught off guard? Have we not discerned the day in which we live?

"But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief." I Thess 5:4

"So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Church!!! Stop pouting, complaining, and murmuring. Stand up and take your rightful place. 

RISE UP!!!!!!!!!

Comments

[Savaslas Lofton]

I may get stoned for this...but I didn't vote for Barack either. I struggled so much with the decision of wanting to be a part of history, but my convictions could not let me proceed for the very reason you mentioned, not to mention his stance on abortion and same sex union. The Word had to be above race for me. Though it was tempting. I did not go away sorrowful by any means necessary feeling that I had made the right decision. But I felt accountable for standing up for what was right, instead of what was popular. Believe you me, I am so proud that we have as Americans, a breakthrough finally in the presidency. My prayer is that God would lead him on the path that should be taken for this country. This moment too was momentous for me, hearing his speech, I was just as proud, knowing that a generation (40 years ago), African American's and supporters were singing "We Shall Overcome". It IS time for us to put our differences aside to bring restoration back to this country. But no matter WHO is in office, Christians have been given a tool that's greater than any vote, that's called prayer. I just pray that we as the body of Christ are affective in using it.
Great BLOG!
Your brother in Christ,
Savaslas Lofton
www.savaslas.blogspot.com

[Kevin Davisk]

I cried last night too. It was awesome to think that just 4 decades removed from the great civil rights leaders death, that Barack Obama was elected President. It is a great step for our country and a great triumph for the thousands of people who struggled to see it come to be.

However, I did vote for Barack. As a white evangelical the pressure is to always vote Republican - which I hate. Voting pro-life on a Republican ticket is a far cry from voting whole-life. I believe in the social programs of the Democrats and chose to make my vote not on 1 issue.

I believe Barack will bring balance back to our country and help to restore our standing as a country in this world. But like all politicians, the real work begins now and we'll see if he is who he said he would be.

Last night was awesome though! Still kinda on a high from it.

[LaJimmease]

Kelli,
I shared this with others...and they agree..here is one comment from of them..So Amen

Tell Kelli I exercised my right to write in a candidate also. I am VERY proud to tell the world that I voted for JESUS. And I did it as my daughter stood there and watched me do it.

[Barbara Turner]

Wow... I just welled up with tears from the person that voted for JESUS. WOW!!! I'm seriously all choked up. Loved your blog.

It's a whirlwind, isn't it? I feel it is a huge step forward from what the country was like 50 years ago with the fact that an African American was voted into the White House. But at the same time, I do not think the political issues in our country come down to race. The actual issues affect every man, woman, and child regardless of the color of our skin. I hope all people realize that the color of our president's skin won't change what he does or does not stand up for, ya know?

But what is truly great? What is great is that it doesn't matter what man is sitting in the oval office because I have a Father sitting on the throne in heaven in whom I place my trust. HE is where our help comes from! Today is no different than 2 days ago. We still place our faith in Him. The ecomony and everything else may fail, but my Jesus will never fail me. : )
Love you, girl.

[Hazel]

Kelli,

I agree with you wholeheartedly! Regardless of how I voted, I had the biggest grin from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, Tuesday night! Yes, proud to be an American, but even more touched to be a Christian and know that somebody's prayers had been answered that night- in front of the whole world! Praise, God! Whose next in line? I say it's something to shout about! God is good!

[Rachel]

SO well stated. I could agree with you more.