hope's not just for some

There is a new spirit of activism and hope in the youth of America. They have been inspired and engaged by President Elect Barack Obama. The whole world is listening and watching as he is installed as the next president of the USA. But, a movement needs a soundtrack. So Norman Lear commissioned the song below. I love the line, "the time has come to reaffirm that hope's not just for some."




The religious (Christian) themes in this are not just a little bit obvious. The title alone, Born Again American, recalls a religious conversion. For me, the most stunning lyric of this song is that line mentioned above, hope's not just for some. Right On! That is the heart of the Christian message.

Woodie Guthrie penned, This Land is Your Land, and people all over took it up and made it their own in their space. I remember singing a Canadian version in school. It was one of my favourites. On the Born Again American website ( http://www.bornagainamerican.org/ ) is the invitation to write your own lyrics. I wonder what the lyrics of Born Again Canadian would be? Where are our dark corners? Who needs hope in Canada?

Which brings me to the important difference of this moment versus others I have seen in recent years. People are taking back their lives and their ability to act. Obama's message has been, get involved personally, make a difference yourself, be a part of the project. America has inspired (positive) worldwide action before and (hopefully) we are in such a moment again.

But, I wonder where the church is (not just the UCC) on this. I have a feeling it is stuck in a committee meeting somewhere. We need to get out of our self pity party and be Born Again. We need to bring that key message, hope is for all, into the public square. We need to clean up our church buildings as examples of sustainable and accessible spaces so people can see it can be done. We need to be conduits of political change so that politicians feel encouraged and enabled to embrace agendas that are born again through the need to address poverty, education, health care, peace and equality. I wonder what the Born Again Church would look like? What are the lyrics for that song?



in hope

K