Tend your soul

Jim Wallis over at Sojourners brought together some of the best voices in Christian politics to offer President-elect Barack Obama advice. There are some compelling voices, including that of Wes Gransberg-Michaelson who reminds Obama to tend to his soul.

Tend to Your Soul
by Wes Granberg-Michaelson 11-07-2008

Dear President-elect Obama,

You are a leader not just because of what you have done, but because of who you are. Tend to your soul.

Your dream of a changed nation, transcending polarization, captured the hearts of millions. Nurture that vision continually. Imagine the future it can create. Share this constantly.

You demonstrated inner emotional confidence in the face of an external financial crisis. Stay grounded in hope. This dispels the fears of others.

Your election has inspired the world. Show that our nation can live with others according to the value of every human life that our ideals so cherish.

Read Matthew 25 at least every week. Inspire policies that remember the least of these.

Keep loving your wife and children. Your presence and time is the greatest gift you can give them.

The expectations of a nation and a world have rarely been higher for a new president. pAfter all you do, each day, your surest response is to relinquish yourself, again and again, to the Lord whom you love.

Pray without ceasing. “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

And may the God of peace be with you, and sustain you, always.

Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson served as legislative assistant to Sen. Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR) from 1968 to 1976. Today he serves as general secretary of the Reformed Church in America.