America and the year 2008 will forever be emblazoned in the minds of these and generations to come as a time where we would witness an unusual and unprecedented moment: An African American male as President of the United States of America. It’s historically impacting and globally relevant! This magnanimous occasion crosses racial, socio-economical, and cultural boundaries and touches everyone on various levels. This nomination and subsequent election says to Americans, and to our world that anything is possible. Change can happen if you’d only believe!

Around this great earth, people cried, shouted, and rejoiced at what many going back to the 1600s would never have believed could take place. At the same time, many lamented what they feel is a negative mark in history and a symbol of defeat and doom for our country—culturally and economically. It basically depends on who you ask! But if you heard President-Elect Barack Obama’s victory speech in its entirety, you would have heard his call for change and a new "spirit" of sacrifice, patriotism, and service, reminding the people within earshot that this could not have happened without them. It was rousing, moving, and inspirational on practically every level. It was hard to ignore the charisma from the stage and the "air" of change that has begun to take shape in our country, right before our very eyes.

President-Elect Obama congratulated his Republican opponents, his friends and partners in the journey to the Presidency, his family, and lastly, the people of the country that voted for and supported him. It was indeed a monumental moment. As he stated very eloquently, "this is our chance to answer the call. This is our moment." With that fact, I agree whole heartedly. This is OUR chance to answer the call. This is OUR moment. Now we have to agree to agree on what the call is. We have experienced a transformative event that can only be described as a move of God. It’s almost unconceivable that He doesn’t get the honor for what He has done, especially from the beneficiary. It’s almost like a man being saved from a car accident and a bystander on the side of the road just walking by giving thanks instead of the accident survivor himself. That’s nice but a bit awkward. I believe that this is a point worth pondering today as we look at change and the unexpected results and effects it could present. There are a lot of questions that we cannot answer right now. Is our next president equipped and ready for the tasks at hand? Will he keep the promises that he made unlike many in his position in past elections? Will he be able to lead the country into a newer and more prosperous state? Oh, so many questions with answers soon to come.

Throughout the inspiring speech on Election Night, throughout the entire eighteen plus minutes, there was a very important detail that was missing that I needed to hear for my own peace of mind. I heard it during the election trail but not once during that speech. I longed to hear it. I needed to hear it. It would have given me hope that this country would begin to turn around what has been the undoing of our country. I need to hear about Jesus Christ. Even your favorite hip-hop star will toss out an honor to him at the annual awards show while thanking their friends, family, and the record companies. We all heard our President-Elect give thanks to everyone that has positively impacted his life and who have made his journey to the White House what it now is, but that omission leaves me with more questions. I am certain that his ascent to the Presidency is ordained of GOD just the same as Joseph becoming Governor of Egypt, or Moses being chosen as a deliverer to the Israelite nation, or the sheepherder being raised to the status of King. The only difference is that all three gave their Creator all honor and all glory as they were appointed into their new positions of authority. Our President-Elect professes to be a man of like faith so it should have been expected that Jesus Christ would be mentioned. I know I expected it.

It would have been comforting to know that the man that is in charge of our country professes to, and believes in, the ‘In God We Trust", or the same GOD in "God Bless America." This country was and is blessed ONLY because of God’s benevolence. It’s not because of our greatness, or our competencies, or our business acumen, but it’s all because of the Lord Jesus Christ and I believe he deserves praise, at least, an honorable, heartfelt mention. This is not designed to condemn any man in authority, especially not our new President Barack Obama, or challenge anyone’s religiosity but it does raise concerns on our country’s future. In biblical times, when God’s creation trusts in idols that they have forged with their own hands, they have failed and have not prospered. When they trusted in kings and princes, chariots and horses, they fell into captivity and had to call on the Creator to set them free.

I hope and pray that America will remember the GOD in "God Bless America" and "In God We Trust." This country can’t expect to grow, prosper, and succeed without Him, (not Barack Obama, I meant Jesus Christ). Maybe I’m not being realistic or looking at this pragmatically, but I was really, sincerely and prayerfully, hoping that the new leader of our country would start the new era of change with praise and honor to the Creator of us all. I suppose there’s still time but that would have been a great start to what should be an outstanding term as President by declaring publicly who, above all else, truly deserves the thanks!

I fully support our President in that which he promised to do; to promote change and growth for us. I’m disappointed because I am of a sound belief that America will face peril if we forsake the God of our fathers, the God we’re supposed to trust!