History in the Making

In one week, history will be made. The United States will inaugurate an African-American man as President.

Now, I don't care whether you voted for him or not or how you personally feel about his politics. Let's not miss out on the significance of this moment.

On Monday, our nation will have a holiday to honor one of the great leaders of the 20th Century as we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

In his famous speech, "I Have a Dream", Dr. King stated, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

I do not believe that with Mr. Obama as President that racism is dead in America. I do not believe that we are fully living out what Dr. King stood for or what he spoke of that day in 1963. I do believe, however, that this is a significant moment for America. I also believe that it was a bold step forward for this country to elect a man to office that just a few short years ago could not have gotten even the nomination of his party due to his race.

Are we yet at the place where we judge by the content of character and not the color of skin? No, not yet. Although race is less of an issue and it is more socio-economic bias that divides us, race is still an issue. We have a ways to go, but we have come a long, long way.

God created us all in His image. God is diverse. Even Jesus prayed as His last recorded prayer in John 17 that we would be able to unite under His name. Let us each realize the historic nature of this next week and let us not forget the price paid to get us here.