A Good Message from President Obama
I know there was some fuss about the speech President Obama made today. John Piper (Post 1, Post 2) and Albert Mohler both had some good thoughts on the controversy and the speech.
As Piper points out, “Given that he is not directing them to Christ, which would be the best counsel, his advice is a wonderful gift of common grace from God to the students of our land.”
I was genuinely inspired and impressed with President Obama’s message to the students. That’s exactly the advice and motivational speech we would want our children to hear.
Some of this is what I wish I’d have heard when I was in school. For instance, I was told I could be whatever I wanted to be. I wanted to be a pro basketball player (insert chuckles here). But the President says, “I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work - that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things.”
Here’s a closing challenge from the President’s speech:
“I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I exprect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down - don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.”
So go read the speech yourself. Then go read it to your kids. Let’s be able to affirm the good we see our president do whether he’s a Democrat, Republican, or an Independent. Here are the Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama, Back to School Event.
