Former US general and secretary of state Colin Powell shocked Republicans when he publicly declared his support Democratic presidential hopeful, Barack Obama. Given his key role in the Bush administration during the first term, this change of heart was a major blow to John McCain's campaign.
Powell called out those who have attempted to smear Obama's character, including those who have falsely accused him of being a Muslim. Powell pointed out that this shouldn't be the way things are done in America and I'm sure we would all agree. Powell also pointed out that there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim-American.
I was glad to hear this, but I was most intrigued with his conviction that Obama has the potential to be a "transformational figure" in American life. It goes almost without saying that the United States must get back on track financially, but it also needs a leader who can help restore America's international image and re-establish some sense of vision and purpose.
Who are our transformational figures? Who do we want to follow into new ways of thinking and being? They seemed to be in short supply during the Canadian federal election. David Suzuki was interviewed on television this week and this John the Baptist of environmentalism, the voice crying in and about the wilderness, said that he was no Messiah.
We do have a Messiah in our Christian faith, One who was the most unlikely transformational figure, with no media machine behind him, no millions to fuel a campaign touting the new reign of God. Nearly everything about Jesus was counter-intuitive for leadership, yet when he said "come follow me" people listened and still do.
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