A Pastor's letter to President Bush, Part 1
Hello, Mr. President.
I haven't seen you much since the Supreme Court ratified your first term.
The Presidency is a fairly consuming office, I know, and there is a lot of brush to clear in Crawford. I was just wondering how you're doing on your dual goals of growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ and leading this nation as a uniter, not a divider.
Something you said -- twice -- during a recent press conference has reminded me to ask you about that trauma counseling we discussed in September of 2001. In referring to al-Qaida terrorists, you said "They are a threat to your children, David," to NBC's David Gregory, following it up by saying: "It's a danger to your children, Jim," to Mr. Rutenberg of the New York Times.
We all need help dealing with trauma, and the American people as a whole need help placing attacks in context and not letting terror build and grow. As our leader, it's important for you to guide people with courage rather than harangue them with fear. Indeed, I remember you saying you wanted to use the terrorist attack as an opportunity for healing and unity, that you wanted to strengthen America and her liberties.
Yet, as I observe your actions, Mr. President, it seems to me that you used 9-11 as an excuse to go to war and as a bogeyman to scare people into weakening America and her liberties. The New Testament says that the indwelling Christ does NOT give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Why are you leading this nation with fear, rather than love, strength or sanity? Again, I recommend counseling with someone trained to help you parse traumatic events.
As you may remember from my earlier letters, I am dismayed by the harsh partisan words and actions of your administration. The outpouring of a Spirit-filled life and mind is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Yet these are not the qualities displayed in words or actions by you or your administration. Have you decided to be discipled by Mr. Rove and Mr. Cheney, sir, rather than Jesus?
Mr. President, the road of discipleship under Jesus can be difficult, I know. Many of the pathways are counter-intuitive, and all of us have wandered astray, each in our own way. I pray, Mr. President, that you will not harden your heart, but that you will invite the Spirit of the Living God to fall fresh on you and awaken a new desire in you to live and act like Jesus.
You like stories, sir, and in fact that was one of the things you have always liked about Jesus -- he spoke truth in parables, or stories, to better connect with his listeners. I'd like to borrow this format and tell you a true story about a Texan who used to pray for you.
A certain woman from Texas never voted for you, but she prayed for you. She had been brought up in the sort of evangelical congregation that prays for national and world leaders, whether you agree with them or not. So she prayed for you faithfully. And she took Corinthians to heart, where it says love hopes the best, believes the best. She practiced believing the best about your motives, even when she was moved to doubt you.
During the immediate aftermath of September 11th, 2001, she hoped that in the crucible of the terrible tragedy, your character would be formed by your reliance upon Jesus. She hoped you would set aside political agendas and work with all Americans to help America grieve in trust and safety. She hoped your identity as a man and leader in Christ would flourish, that you would speak with truthfulness and act with integrity.
Now, when your voice breaks into the news on her radio, she switches stations. When you hold a televised press conference, she leaves the TV off and waits to read the transcript later. She believes you have lied to us and betrayed us. She feels this sense of your betrayal so strongly that she's unwilling to listen to your voice. She tried, year after year, to believe the best, but learned that the only safe thing to do was fear the worst from you. Whether she is correct or not is irrelevant -- this is her experience of you, and therefore it is her truth.
It is on behalf of the Texan who used to pray for you, that I write to you today. Mr. President, what if she's right? Are you enough of an honest leader, and humble Christian, to listen to people like her, and consider they may be speaking truth to you?
I don't know if it is too late to repair the breach of trust the Texan feels, but I do know it is not to late to change course in your life, your relationship with Jesus, and your presidency. The two questions are: Do you have the courage? Are you willing to change? You have always struck me as a man of discipline, Mr. Bush. Exercise and sobriety being two of your more public displays of self-discipline. If you are willing to change, and have the courage to change -- I know you will have the self-discipline to see it through.
I'll write again next week. Remember, book that appointment with a counselor.
posted by Woman In Love @ 11:11 PM
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