Less than 48 hours removed from the 44th Presidents inaugural address, the collective consciousness of Americans is arguably imbued with the spirit of a shared purpose and a call for collective action. In his address, President Obama acknowledge that we are a great nation amidst great peril; he rebuked the politics of the past and pressed for new policies—ones that bind us to a common cause and renews a spirit of democracy…a sprit that reflects the creed that this government is of, for, and by the people. The new president firmly warned enemies of peace yet softly embraced nations of paucity. These were all resounding themes that provided many comfort in an age of contention. Yet, no theme resonates more strongly then the President’s call to WORK.
Consider the following 8 statements rooted in the inaugural address:
· “In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”
· “Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”
· “Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.”
· “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”
· “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.”
· “All this we can do. And all this we will do.”
· “To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.”
· “But those values upon which our success depends — hard work ..."
Consider the following 8 statements rooted in the inaugural address:
· “In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”
· “Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”
· “Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.”
· “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”
· “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.”
· “All this we can do. And all this we will do.”
· “To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.”
· “But those values upon which our success depends — hard work ..."
On this day, the call towards action with courage was heard from coast to coast. Let America heed this call, and be transformed by the holy virtue of work. Let us begin rebuilding this country one person, one family, one community at a time. The president calls for each one of us to share in the plight of the nation and rejoice the profit of labor. Let it be known that this call to action is ordained by GOD.
· The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work and keep it.
Genesis 2:15
· Commandment: Six days you shall labor, and do all your work
Exodus 20:9
Exodus 20:9
· Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings, he will not stand before obscure men.
Proverbs 22:29
· Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Delight in the tasks that require your attention in your home, at work, and in your community…for your work is ordained by God and know that whatever you sow sow or reap, it is in accordance to HIS plan. Indifference breeds laziness and stagnation, find your passion and enlist your skills to support "Operation Rebuild America" as a soldier for freedom, fairness, fruitfulness.
R-O-D,
ReplyDeleteThose were very inspiring words and well spoken. Your blog is looking nice also bro.
RJ
This is a great blog Roderick. I enjoyed your commentary. I too see service as a part of Christian beliefs. If you are a Christian, service should already be a part of your life. Citizenship also naturally calls for one to serve. Not only am I a Christian and a citizen of the USA, but I am also an African American. I want to support President Obama's call to serve because I want our country to become what it is meant to be, a collection of people with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who are afforded equal respect. Given our history of discrimination, I believe that in order to achieve this, I must support the affirmation that America can soar under African American leadership. This is not for me, but for those who remain ignorant and have to experience in order to believe. You know there are still many people who hold negative ideas about different races who have never actually interacted with persons of the race they have prejudices about.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of people that would like to see America fail solely because of the race or "lack of experience" of President Obama. I believe that I have to be just as vigilant in my efforts to see America succeed under President Obama's leadership as the haters who will try to block or even sabotage efforts for success.
Changing America is not a one man, nor one administration job, it is OUR responsibility. It can only be achieved and maintained if we all do our part. I want to add that each person's part is different. For one man it may be to get back in touch with his estranged child and be a father to that child. Another man's part might be to donate clothes he can no longer wear to the Salvation Army. Another man's may be to mow his elderly neighbors yard. Another man's may be to donate money to an under funded non-profit organization that may be offering a single mother the source of support she needs to keep her from having to seek government assistance. All of our parts are different. It is important that we each do our part so that I am not trying to do mine and everybody else's. Because I am going to do my part :)
D,
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that we will encounter some Americans who my root for Obama to fail. Petty politics and cultural differences aside, we need all our public servants to focus on the tasks at hand of rebuilding America and restoring its global leadership role. These challenging times will hopefully strengthen our resolve as a country and help us understand that we may have came on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now. We face a time of great peril, one that will challenge us ALL to band together to rebuild our economy, bring a peaceful resolution to our current conflicts, and restore global confidence that America is the champion of human rights and freedom. Obama’s historic election brings to the forefront what many Americans have been saying for a long time: “I, too, sing America.”
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--
I, too, am America.
--Langston Hughes