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Christian Politics: Father, Why Is This Night Different From All Other Nights?

By Bishop James I Feel God Brown

I have just learned that the citizens of the
United States of America, have elected Barack
Obama to be President of the republic.

Tears remain in my eyes even though I had started
to write this letter more than a week ago. I knew
the significance that this event would hold, not
only for me but for black men and women across the
country.

I found it hard to sleep last night. It felt like
Christmas Eve when I was still a child. I would
believe there would be a new present but I almost
held my breath for fear that I could do something
to mess it up at the last moment.

Yes, tonight is a night like no other!

The best-known quote from the Jewish Passover
ceremony is, "Why is this night different from all
other nights?" This line is usually recited by the
youngest person at the table (or at least, the
youngest person capable of reciting it). It is
meant to express the child's confusion at why
everything felt different and special.

For those who do not know, Passover (or Pesach) is
the remembrance of the night when God caused the
death angel to passover the first born of every
household where the children of Israel obediently
stayed and yet killed the first born of their
oppressors as the final step to their freedom from
slavery.

A 15 part meal, called the seder, is the central
item in the remembrance, yet it is different from
any regular meal that an observant Jew would eat,
even to this day.

So it is for me tonight, as a black American.
There is much that seems familiar about this
election night but I clearly realize that I am
living in a significance that cannot be ignored.

During the seder a vegetable is dipped in bitter
salt water to cause everyone to remember the
bitterness of the bondage that their ancestors had
endured at the hand of the Egyptians. Even while
the oppression is remembered, there is no need to
hate the Egyptians. Nonetheless, there is a need
to never forget the reality of the pain that God
had delivered them from.

So it is on tonight, I remember the pain of the
middle passage and the bitter whip of slavery on
my ancestors.

I remember, the degradation and humiliation that
always comes with bondage.

I remember, .... the deaths in Bombingham, ....
the deaths of the freedom riders, .... the deaths
of Emmit Till and untold others at the hangin
tree. .... the deaths of Martin, Fred Hampton,
Malcom, and Medgar

I remember, .... the lies that I was told .... the
lies have told my children, .... the lies which I
no longer have to tell, .... the lies that were
promised but until tonight had never been
fulfilled

Lies that were not told to hurt children but which
like Santa Claus would lead them to wonder what
else had we lied about.

Lies that when the truth was revealed caused them
to wallow in a futility that helped spawn crime,
drug abuse, prostitution, promiscuity, and self
hatred among our generations.

You see tonight is different than every other. My
children and grand-children CAN indeed become
President of the United States.

As during the seder, tonight I can wash my hands
of this ugly chapter of my life even while I
remind my linage of their responsibility to make a
real difference. Their responsibility to live a
life that proves they were worth the suffering
that gave them their opportunity.

Yes, tonight is like no other night because the
sweetness of the charoset made with sweet apple,
nuts, and sweet wine, will give a sweetness to my
mouth and strength to run on in my limbs, knowing
that we can accomplish even more.

This is the strength that comes from the knowledge
that my offspring, the offspring of Kunta Kinte,
and all those who suffered can become the
generations that bring the blessing to their
environments and societies.

Yes, this night is different from all others,
because I could not be deterred by the propaganda
of those whose political bent had been wrapped
around a few scriptures as reason to oppose this
Godly mandate.

No, after years as a Republican, following the
politics of a religious fervor generated by fear,
I did not HATE MYSELF so much as to oppose this
call from death to life for an entire race of
people.

Tonight is a night like no other, it is a night
where fear lost and hope won, and we and our
offspring can never think of ourselves as lying
failures ever again .... unless we forget .....

Thank you God! I bless your name for allowing me
to see tonight. Thank you America for defeating
the fear of our past. Thank you Barack, for your
magnificent courage, for your faith, and for
restoring our HOPE in freedom

To read more insights into Christian Living visit
http://ifeelgod.org

Bishop James Brown aka "I Feel God" is the founder
or the http://1000churches.org network and he is
called "The Internet's Favorite Pastor". In
addition, Bishop is a prolific writer and speaker
who is in demand for his insights. You can read
his daily Blog at http://ifeelgod.org and find
information on using the Internet for ministry at
http://fromchurch.com