HUMANISM

If ever there was a need for prayer, it will be for a man named Obama. He inherits a nation at war with a stressed out economy. He will pilot a land divided in opinion in the midst of a world looking for a messiah. He will render senior leadership in a most complicated government with junior experience and little room for failure. He will face a press that is woeful in gathering all the facts and enemies that would love to see this nation destroyed. He will need wisdom from above in a culture that increasingly follows an ethical theory and practice "that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and often rejects the importance of belief in God."*

Meditation
Ephesians 6:7-Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.
Revelation 4:11-Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.

Scripture brings immense truth to ponder. Whenever we champion (stake our lives on) humanism we plummet down Folly Hill. Eventually, every king of a manmade mountain tumbles. If we render service to people as our highest value, look what happens:
· We serve for our own betterment (self-centeredness).
· We serve to avoid unfavorable treatment (self-preservation).
· We serve for attention (pride).
Each of these at best buys us better life that eventually ends in death. There is no exception.

The boat of humanism always breaks apart on the reef of sin. We find ourselves in competition because our hierarchy of humanistic causes differs from one human, group, tribe, or race to the next. The only solution to this mess is to serve God. When we put Him first it results in our betterment, our preservation and our satisfaction, for He blesses us and His blessing and favor is eternal. He is supposed to always be first because He is our Creator! By His will we exist and He is worthy of all kudos.

We must be careful about championing causes or political parties. Slowly, the cause displaces the Causer. Subtly, we find ourselves wrapped around platforms and our need to be right replaces obedience to the Holy Spirit. We judge others and lose our perspective because we are serving the wrong master. Likewise, we must avoid putting all our hope in people. No man can save the world except God's Man. The temptation to find a messiah to free us from all our woes is as misguided as asking a television to raise our children.

If God is not first, we are worse for the wear and the glory we gain is not worth the blessing we lose. Should we be passionate? Should we work hard for those in whom we believe? Yes-but in balance! Our track record as people is terminally weak-consider the first bad choice-when God took second place to a piece of fruit. These are great days to pray to God for Obama. Keep the order straight and the results will bear divine signature.

*(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humanism)

Inspiration
If I am only devoted to the cause of humanity, I will soon be exhausted and come to the point where my love will falter, but if I love Jesus Christ I will serve humanity, though men and women treat me like a doormat.-Oswald Chambers in The Place of Help