Yes HE Can!

If there is anyone out there who still doubts the relevance of door to door canvassing in the 21st century; who still wonders whether or not they can make a difference by spreading a message of hope; who still questions the power of a common goal to overcome prejudice, on November 4, 2008, you had your answer.

It was the answer that demonstrated that even in a weak economy with high unemployment, millions of Americans are still willing to make financial sacrifices for the sake of change they can believe in.

It was the answer spoken by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars. They showed that wide participation brings amazing results as they raised $750,000,000 to help move a black man into the White House. 

It was the answer spoken by tens of thousands of canvassers who marched across America for 21 months—who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers and spread a message of hope. And as the moment of truth approached, these political missionaries intensified their efforts. On November 3rd, they knocked on 1 million doors in the state of Ohio alone. They were not discouraged by no soliciting signs, barking dogs, or rebel flags. They overcame every obstacle presented them by pressing on with the American creed, “Yes we can!”

When Barack Obama was declared president-elect of the United States the streets of Chicago couldn’t have been more joyous had the Bears and the Bulls both won championships at the same time. The expression of joy in Times Square looked like a New Year’s Eve celebration. Even in Asia, Africa, and Europe, there were victory parties celebrating change and chanting “Yes we can!”

I too voted for change, but I was more reserved in my celebration. For the kind of change we really need is beyond the ability of any president to provide.  I am persuaded that “that one” was a better choice than the other one. 

     But our hope for the future as Christians, the change we can truly believe in, is the second coming of Jesus Christ.  He is the only one that can bring permanent peace & prosperity.  He is the only one that can truly turn the page on the injustices of this nation’s history.  

     As I reflect on the joyous scenes of November 4, my mind wanders to Luke 15, where Jesus talks about the joy in heaven over one repentant sinner. When He gave the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, Jesus let us know that it takes hard work on earth in order to recover the lost and bring joy to heaven. Just as it took painstaking, personal labor to get people to the polls in record numbers, so it is in soul-winning.

    Jesus was our example in this, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). What joy was set before Him? Was there joy in being betrayed by one disciple, denied by another, and abandoned by the rest? Was there joy in being unjustly persecuted by corrupt religious and political leaders? Was there joy in being publicly stripped, beaten, spit upon, and crucified? Was there joy in the cross itself? Ridiculous!

     What was the joy set before Him? It was the joy of one day resurrecting the righteous dead and rescuing the righteous living; the joy of seeing the multitude of redeemed that no man could number; the joy of escorting saints with their new names to their new addresses in the New Jerusalem. It was the joy of witnessing the ultimate victory party on the sea of glass. A victory party for saints that have overcome the beast and his image and the number of his name by pressing on with that Christian creed, “Yes He Can!”

     We, who plan to partake in that joy, must endure our crosses as well. We have a short time to work and there are many people skeptical of religion, but there is hope. The Obama campaign proved that millions of people can be reached in a short period of time. It proved that people with serious struggles are open to solutions they otherwise wouldn’t consider. The question is, “Do we believe in the change Christ will bring as much as Obama’s canvassers had faith in him?”