New Beginnings

I was recently asked to deliver a message for a conference at Asia Plateau. The subject was America, Obama and New Beginnings. It was part of a session entitled New Beginnings, which reflected the importance of a number of forward-looking events unfolding at the same time (Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, New American President, Indian Republic Day, 1st Anniversary of Australian Sorry Day, etc.).

Hope is the reason behind a new beginning. Faith is the action. We view a horizon we want to reach, a destination worth the sacrifice, the world we want to see. With hope as the fuel and faith as the motion, we step boldly towards the vision.

I’ve been asked today to speak about America, Obama and new beginnings. At a time of great turmoil in the world, when economic crises and extremism and climate change and corruption sink the spirit, America finds itself a wounded power on the world stage. All of these issues have finally come to the door of my nation, which has for so long prided itself on its prosperity and virtue. Largely as a response to these difficult times and recent governance, the people elected Obama for the hope he represented. For the new beginning his words and his life demonstrate.

Like Buchman did many years ago, Obama rightly sees his world at the turning. He stated clearly in his address the path the nation must take despite a myriad of domestic and global obstacles: “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

It’s a new beginning and he opens it with hope. Real hope. Once, when he was asked if he really believed in all this talk about hope he quipped (and I’ll paraphrase): “I’m the son of a white mother and a black father, my middle name is Hussein and I’m running for the President of the United States. You better believe I’ve got hope.”

It’s a great line, but the miracle of an Obama presidency is that it is a hope realized. A vision met. A promise fulfilled.

Many of you will have been alive when black Americans would have had to use separate bathrooms, restaurants and drinking fountains from white Americans; When a black man’s vote would account for only three-fifths of a white man’s. When blacks were systematically held back in education, business, sport and almost all pursuits of life.

Martin Luther King, Jr., saw this inequality around him and held up a vision of hope for a nation and a world. That hope drove his actions as he followed the message of Jesus and the methods of Gandhiji and spoke truth to power in love. In the daunting face of hate, violence and ignorance, he cast his sights on a dream, that one day all people wouldn’t be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. He sacrificed. He offered his life to pursue truth. He did so willingly – fueled by hope for the vision and determined in his faith that it could realized.

Obama’s inauguration in many ways fulfills that dream. In a way, it’s a completion. It marks the end of a journey millions have taken towards equality. An African-American holds the highest office in the country – according to many, the most powerful person in the world.

At the same time, this completed chapter intersects with a changing world. A world at a new beginning. And the world can take on that new beginning, with a great hope for a great vision.

Hope for a world where cooperation would be the theme and courage and unselfishness the characters. A world where resources are sustained because we learn how to share and innovate together. A world where business works, not for the few, but for all parties, because we realize our futures are interdependent. A world where intolerance and violence are humbled at the mighty feet of love and justice.

At this new beginning, hope fuels that vision. In the footsteps of Martin Luther King and Gandhiji, Barack Obama’s story shows us that hope isn’t a fleeting concept of the idealists. In fact, it is the driving force of all new beginnings. When coupled with unshakeable actions of faith, all things are possible.

Recently for me, my hope was a restored relationship with a close relative – hope for a relationship full of trust and love. From a chapter of grievances, I could see a new beginning blossoming with possibility. It was towards that hope that I took a step of faith, admitting the bitterness I held in my heart and asking forgiveness. The response from that person was overwhelming – a real change arrived. The kind of change I want to see in the world.

Today is a new beginning. Now is a new beginning. And in each new moment we make a decision for ourselves and as a people – will we move towards our insecurities or towards our inner greatness? Will we move in fear or move in faith? Will we dwell in despair or run with hope towards vision of a better world, starting with ourselves?

Today it brings me great hope and encouragement to be with you as we steadily walk in faith towards that vision. Thank you.