I have to say, good stuff (as my boss would say). An Obama presidency meant and still means a lot of things to so many people all over the world. To some it was a symbol of hope and freedom. To others it was pride and tears of joy, yet to others it was an unwanted and unexpected turn of events. However, I want to look at a dimension that caused both anxiety and panic among American Christians, even causing ‘rifts’ among major Christian leaders and saints alike.

I am fully aware that I will be introducing a thought process that has not crossed the minds of majority of Christians in Africa and round the world. The majority of American Christians happen to be social and political conservatives. A liberal presidential administration, as the Obama Whitehouse has styled itself, might well turn out to be a ‘threat’ to the conventional and fundamental ideologies that both Christians and republicans hold.

The president-elect’s views on abortion and homosexuality were quite apparent. As if to add insult to injury, Obama’s proposed cabinet happens to host known ‘extreme’ liberalists who have a track record of endorsing and passing every democratic/liberal ideal. As a result of these perceptions, Obama’s election was not a very pleasant affair for the many conservative Christians in America.
 
True to their concerns, we all (worldwide Christians) should be prayerfully concerned about such issues as abortion, homosexuality, free Christian expression and speech among many others. The question of liberal American policies and ideals, should concern the body of Christ globally. Not to say that all liberal ideas are ungodly and detrimental. No, on the contrary, many of liberal ideologies have liberated the world from yokes of bondages in all spheres of life. And that is my main concern in writing this article.

Is it possible that we as Christians want to live in a utopian ‘Christian’ environment? Where everyone follows our way, and doesn’t challenge our ideologies? Do we at times want to live and create an environment where there is no conflict as far as our values are concerned?  Are we looking for comfort zones in our governments, schools and systems? A look around seems to suggest that we do. When we intentionally malign and dismiss certain personalities and administrations, all in the name of ‘they are not godly’ or ‘Christian enough, or even ‘God spoke’.

I understand the desire to bring and propagate a righteous kingdom on the earth and it systems. However is it possible that at times we are so blinded by our own desire to build comfortable ‘Christian’ zones, and forget that there is a Grand plan from a Grand weaver? The Grand weaver (God, for the slow…..) has a will and desire of his own.  Have we forgotten that he works everything in conformity to his will? Our desire to build and create comfortable environments is well meant, though it is not a guarantee.

In consulting the Bible, we realize that war, conflict and chaos are promised as the age comes to a close. The Bible depicts scenarios of conflict at all levels in the last days that we live in. An Obama presidency might bring unto us all those negative things that we dread. However, could this be part of the plan to birth onto the earth a pure church? Have we not heard that the kingdom suffers violence, and it is only the violent that take it by force?

You see friends, I am convinced that God brings out His best in us through difficult, unfamiliar and uncomfortable environments. Contemporary Christian history reveals to me that all major revivals and moves of God happened in difficult environments.  From the world wars to the great depression, these negative scenarios were contemporaries of major moves of God on the earth. Go back to the Bible again. The great church in Acts thrived under great persecution. Infact on close observation God caused persecution in the Jewish Christian community, so as to spread his message to the gentiles. Paul’s dynamic ministry and exploits all thrived under crazy and mad political and social structures. Nero the emperor for example was a Pauline contemporary. And history says that he used Christians as human torches to light up Rome. History and tradition has it that the same Nero had Paul the apostle beheaded.
 
By now I hope you are beginning to get my drift. Our desire to build comfort zones might not necessarily be accurate. We are called to be a kingdom. And for that matter a kingdom that begets violence (spiritual violence). We are called to be the light in a dark world. As someone said, “light was created for darkness”. Comfort zones might not necessarily bring about the will and desire of the Lord on the earth. On the contrary, difficult political, social and economic environments might achieve more in bringing that same Godly kingdom that we rightly desire.

I am not saying that the Obama presidency will automatically launch an onslaught on the body of Christ. No, that’s not my intention. Neither am I saying that Obama and his government will stamp out Christianity. However the truth is that a liberal administration might and I repeat might, make it difficult for the body of Christ to move and express itself as it used to. I say this because it has once happened in the larger Europe and other parts of the world. Nevertheless I personally don’t hope that to be the case, but if it does happen, we as the body of Christ should be prepared for change. For truly change has come to our world, and it will definitely bring with it its two sides (positive and negative).
  
Our role then in this day and age then should be to pray for Obama and his administration along with other leaders round the world. Remember when Paul the apostle gave the command to Timothy that Christians were to pray for political and civil leaders. The leader at that particular moment in history was Nero (one of the greatest persecutors of Christians).

Secondly, we as the church should put our perspectives right by seeking for kingdom zones and not comfort zones. True Christianity begets admiration, praise, love, joy and conflict as well. It is the kingdom of Christ that begets violence. And this spiritual violence is for the purpose of establishing the true kingdom on the earth.

Third our discernment levels should be heightened in this age to truly know the forces behind our present social, political and economical shifts. Finally, God is still on the throne and them that have Christ are still seated with Him on that same throne.

About The Author: Sam Kithika is a gifted writer who has served as a Features Editor and Assistant Editor at a number of publications, and has significant journalistic experience.

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