Okay.  So, mixing the faith and politics, I was a BIG TIME Obama supporter!  Bumper sticker, buttons, voter registration drives and even an Obama action figure for my son (yes, I said action figure).  But, something continues to dog me about the movement for change that elected him to serve as our 44th P.O.T.U.S.  It seems that many were in search of a messiah, not a president. 

Clearly, folks don’t think he’s Jesus or any second coming.  But, consistent with the more traditional Judeo-Christian (Hebrew Scriptures/Old testament) concept of a promised, prophet-king as son of God who would care for the widow and the orphan, instituting God’s reform agenda, many believe the President-Elect fits the bill.  My caution for this (small ‘m’) messiah is that this role is never completely filled in this realm.

The good King Hezekiah comes closest in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament tradition.  This youngster on the throne gathers a team of religious leaders and brings strong reform.  He’s spoken of in high regard because he follows the prophet’s counsel.  But in the end, the realities of political expedience and national survival lead him to compromise with the Assyrian empire. 

The projection of a faith-construct on any political leader is a dangerous one.  It is my prayer that those seeking a messiah look for the capital ‘M’.  And allow their president-elect to be the politician he will need to be…For their aspirations and for his ability to meet them.