And so, the 44th President

An orderly transition of power. No bullets. No coup. No blood. No warfare. There was probably some hate being tossed around, from all sides of the circle, but we didn't have to deal with it as we watch Barack Obama sworn in as Number 44.

That says much for the quality of American character. Despite or sniping, griping, snitching, bitching, groaning, moaning, and downright unpleasant expressions of all manner of political, social, religious or any other form of thought, when January 20th rolls around we hand over the reins of power without argument. Without a fight. Because it is the right thing to do.

For this I give glory to God. The one who governs His creation gives us a gift of subcreation (thank you J.R.R. Tolkien for that wonderful term) to come up with a way of governing that in spite of its flaws and the flawed people who implement it, still manages to work. In many ways it may be a real Rube Goldberg contraption, but as seen this morning, it does work.

Like President Obama and the policies he says he will pursue or not, like George W. Bush and his policies or not, at 12 noon Eastern on January 20th, 2009, the latter stepped aside and made way for the new President.

Despite the prophecies that Bush would sieze power and declare a state of emergency and stay in office...it didn't happen. Despite the prophecies that some would riot rather than accept a black (or reputed Muslim, or "choose your own complaint") President...it didn't happen. I would remind those "prophets" of the biblical penalty for false prophecy. How fortunate for them that we do not practice it (for those who don't know, it was death by stoning).

Now the weight falls on the man from Illinois, and a heavy weight it is. Every Orthodox service, Vespers, Matins and Liturgy, we pray for the president and civic leaders, multiple times. I shall do so fervently, as I have done now for three presidents. Lord have mercy, and may He grant President Obama the wisdom and grace and power to rule all Americans in a just, right, and beneficial way.

I don't like all he wants to do. I don't like all he had to say (there were implications of blame that I do not believe were appropriate in his speech), but for the most part I will stand behind him because he is the duly-elected leader of our nation. It is not only my obligation as a citizen, but as a Christian.

In Orthodox teaching, our leaders are a gift from God, whether they are blessing or scourge. And because it is America, whatever a president might be, he too will pass in the end, four years or eight years, but he too will pass. As powerful as the position is, no president will destroy the nation by his policies. He may cause disruption and damage, but we can overcome, especially if we have faith in God and put our shoulders to the wheel and work to move forward past our failings.

And this applies equally at lower levels of government too. No matter the corruption, no matter the nepotism, no matter the wild-eyed optimism or depressing pessimism, no matter what divides us, in the end we get drawn together because we can choose to show our leaders the door. But even if we don't THIS time, there will be another chance.

Meanwhile, we can do what we can do to improve our lot and that of those around us, in spite of (and sometimes in association with) those leaders we may not agree with.

I hope that is our attitude going forward now. Whether President, Governor, Mayor, legislator--remember you too are mortal, as the slave used to whisper in the Roman general's ear as he received the adulation of the masses. And to the people--we also should remember they are mortal and will make mistakes, perhaps almost unforgivable ones, but in the end they too will be gone and we will have to move on.

Let's strive to do our best, to be our best, no matter who holds the reins, no matter who occupies the head of the table.

Isn't that some of what it is to be Christian?

And on this day isn't that even more of what it means to be American?

God bless President Obama, those who have led and those who will lead, and all the people of these United States of America.