Idolatry

Today marks a remarkable occasion - the inauguration of our first African-American president. I wholeheartedly hope that President Obama can live up to his promises, to what everyone in this country now holds their breath for him to do. Truly. For the sake of my future and that of my children, I do not want to watch him fail. So don't mistake what I am about to say as a lack of support for our new president, pessimism, or even bitterness or resentment for him winning the election. Those emotions are not there.

But I'll tell 'ya, the first thing that came to mind when I saw this picture was Exodus 20: 4-5 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them..."

I look at the footage of his ceremony, of the crowd of nearly 2 million people who are watching, chanting his name. The people who came from far and wide to witness this historic event, to share in the feeling of hope and show their support. Little dots as far as the eye can see. I am awe-struck. What does that feel like, I wonder, walking down that red-lined aisle to face them all? I can't imagine. I also can't imagine what he has done to deserve that. Has he earned that adoration? I mean, really? I don't think so, or that McCain would, or Hillary Clinton, or Sarah Palin, or even Dave Matthews (and you all know how I feel about him!), or anyone else at the beginning of their new job. He is only human. Obama has yet to do anything but play a good game and win the world's biggest popularity contest. He is a politician, after all, and the proof is in the pudding. 8 years from now, if this country is in a time of peace and our economy has recovered, I will be happy to stand in a croud of 2 million and give my appreciation. I hope I can. When he has earned it.