I wanted to share an excerpt from a speech I heard recently:
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we’ve been told that we’re not ready, or that we shouldn’t try, or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.
Yes we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.
Yes we can.
And so tomorrow, as we take this campaign South and West; as we learn that the struggles of the textile worker in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas; that the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America’s story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea
Yes…
We…
Can…
-Barack Obama January 8th, 2008, New Hampshire.
I don’t care what your political affiliation is or what person you think should be the next president. That speech is the kind of speech that brings tears to my eyes. That is the kind of speech that gives me hope that things can change. That is the kind of speech I want to write for someone someday.
And any time I’m tempted to give in, or quit or turn away from the path that I know is right… I’m going to remember this speech. I’m going to remember this speech and add to it the original thought from the scriptures that I love so much…
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
-Hebrews 12:1-3 (Emphasis Added)
I’m sure the author here was familiar with Isaiah 40
28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.-Isaiah 40:28-31 (Emphasis Added)
These past few months have been very difficult for many reasons. God has seen fit to allow The Accuser to persecute me in unbelievable ways. I must admit I have had a hard time standing up under these trials. For many years I’ve had James Chapter 1 memorized where James writes concerning trials and wisdom. I have been overwhelmed by one and lacking the other.
I hope that those of you who read my blog (whether it be friend or foe) will take a minute to remember that I am only a human. I am an imperfect human struggling to be free of sin. Over the next few months I know that my life will be radically changing and I know that as a result I will be less Christ-like than I should be. I know that I will not be able to treat all of you in a manner that best honors our friendship, nor in a manner that best honors Christ. I know that the stress and the strain will get to me on some days and I will be tempted and fall.
But can we get through it?
Yes we can… with God’s help…
What will you say when I ask you to stand beside me even though you’ve heard terrible things about me that are not true?
Yes I can… with God’s help…
What will you believe when you’re ready to give up on me?
Yes he can… with God’s help…
And someday when I’m gone and you are asked if I glorified God in the face of persecution I hope you will say:
Yes he did… with God’s help…
