I remember when Barack Obama was running for POTUS in the 2008 campaign, I didn’t pay very close attention for a while since I gave him little to no chance of winning the highest political office in America. However, when I first heard him make the statement “I will fundamentally transform America,” I began to take notice of this brash talking man and his words.
At first, it just seemed to bug me that he made such a statement, as well as the way in which it was said—as though this nation, like a car with a million miles on the odometer, was long overdue for a major overhaul. In one sense, he may have been right, since the USA, like a worn-out car seemed to have been barely chugging along, unable to reach a destination with any positive results.
When a car reaches this condition, as any good mechanic will attest, an overhaul IS needed. But that overhaul, to be successful, requires using the very best ORIGINAL parts to return the car to its original state
However, I eventually, became aware of why I was so upset with his words. It had to do with the words “fundamentally” and “change” used together. According to one dictionary, the word fundamentally means: “serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis; basic; underlying: fundamental principles; the fundamental structure.” A foundation is defined as “the basis or groundwork of anything.”
In the United States of America, that would be the US Constitution and the rule of law established by it. Used as an adjective that modifies the noun “change, Obama was telling anyone who would open their ears and listen, that his plan was to “transform” the very foundation of our nation.
But, transform from what—to what? The U.S. Constitution establishes the very basis, or foundation, upon which our nation functions, and it basically created a system that recognizes the rule of law (mostly Judeo-Christian standards) and strictly defines how every part or branch of the government is to adhere to that rule of law.
If properly administered, the foundation—the U.S. Constitution—will provide checks and balances that prohibit one branch from usurping authority not delegated to it by the rule of law. However, if the basis, or the “foundation” is changed, and the rule of law is NOT followed, we are no longer a nation where the rule of LAW prevails, but rather where the rule of MEN prevails.
So then the answer to the question: From what, to what—is this: Obama planned to move the US from a nation under the rule of law to a nation under the rule of men. To his credit, he did not mince words and plainly stated what his intentions were, and he immediately set about to make his plan a reality.
Now, after nearly eight years of Obama’s plan, it is certainly not difficult to see how effective he has been. So many laws have been ignored by those in our government who took oaths to uphold those laws, that we are no longer the same nation we were eight years ago.
It is also true that many presidents before Obama were nearly as complicit as he in changing the course of America; they were just subtler at it. Their subtlety served to lull us into a false sense of security that was not based on anything but their subtle words
When Obama came along, he was able to gain office because the nation was so weary of the many, and long, and failed wars in foreign countries that had drained us of our once robust patriotism. In short, many otherwise clear-thinking Americans used the word “change” as offered by Obama to justify voting for a man with no accomplishments, other that being a “community organizer” who promised the change that they assumed would be an improvement.
The result, after eight years, is definitely a “changed” America, though not for the better.
The moral standards that, for generations were the real “glue that held us together,” that were once taken for granted by the sleeping masses, especially those who claim to be Christian, had become a thing of the past, replaced by empty, useless slogans like “political correctness,” “inclusion” and “diversity.”
This move from a people with, at least some small remnant of the moral standards of the Founding Fathers, to a people where “anything goes” with masses of Americans doing what seems “right in his own eyes” brings to mind the words of a well-known proverb found in Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
So, we became a nation of fools, who turned from the God of the Bible, to gods of self. I attribute this turning, to some extent, to a failure of the Church to be the Church, and to pray for the revival that would have stopped the change announced, and advanced, by Obama and his followers. That failure allowed the promised “Obama Change” to happen, and it did not produce anything a Christian would consider either “good” or “godly.”
But, thank God, a man like Donald Trump decided to run for POTUS and he began to speak the words that awakened millions of people in America to our terrible dilemma, that we were headed for the dustbin of history unless we could undo the change of, not just the last eight years, but the last forty years, possibly more.
Against all the odds, and the resistance of his own political party, Mr. Trump became the president-elect of the United States last week, much to the chagrin of Hillary Clinton and her party, as well as a large share of the GOP elites. I know that many Christians do not believe Donald Trump is qualified to be POTUS due to his “moral failures,” mostly his failed marriages and a few failed businesses.
However, throughout history, God has chosen, and used, many men who were much bigger failures than Mr. Trump. Ever hear of King David, an adulterer and murderer, whom God called “a man after MY Own heart”?
I believe that God, in His infinite mercy, has provided an opportunity for this nation, perhaps our last, to return to being THE nation that was founded on the rule of law. However, as brilliant as Donald Trump is, as strong and fearless as he is, he cannot succeed as God’s choice unless the Church, once again, becomes the Church.
The Holy Spirit, through St. Paul said this in I Timothy 2: 1-3 states, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”
It has now become the responsibility, as well as the privilege, for every true Christian believer to follow the words of Paul and pray earnestly for Donald Trump. To those proclaiming to be Christians who say they cannot pray for a man like Trump, I say this:
Since Jesus, the Messiah, has not yet been president of the United States, we have not had even one perfect POTUS in our 240-year history, only a succession of flawed men who accepted the challenge of leading this nation.
If Mr. Trump succeeds after we have prayed diligently for him, I believe God will be pleased with him and the Church. However, if he fails due to a lack of that prayer, I believe we will be held to account for our failure, as well as the downfall of our nation.
I’ve heard many pundits say that the nation is at a crossroads, and I agree with that. I believe we have been stuck at that crossroad for a long time, not knowing which direction to take. I believe we have been shown the right direction; now the challenge is to make sure we reach the right destination, with God’s chosen vessel—Donald Trump, leading the way.
But, that can only happen if we all, with God’s help and guidance, pull together and do our part to ensure success. May God guide us all each day as we pray for Mr. Trump, and our nation.