When was the last time a politician filled stadiums with people desperate to hear their message? The Obama phenomena is quite remarkable. The upcoming Democrat convention is testament to that. All of the other speakers address the convention attendees at the Denver Conference Center, but Obama makes his speech in the local pro sports stadium to make sure they can get everyone in. A crowd of 200,000 plus showed up in Germany. He filled the Compaq Arena in Houston. The list goes on.
What is this message of hope that has transfixed a nation and a watching world? Great question that is really hard to answer. The message of hope does not appear to have a lot of substance. Even if it had substance, are we really to believe the Washington insiders would allow him to drive change?
What is remarkable to me is that his message of hope is touching something within the folks of this nation and beyond. People are fed up with same old. They are looking for change. Against the background of economic uncertainty people need the assurance of something hoped for. That a better day is coming or is around the corner.
My question is: where is the church in all of this? If the rhetoric and words of a politician can inspire hope, where are the true dealers of hope? Where are those who have received an eternal message of hope that drives real change?
Calling all dealers of hope: time to step up.
