That's The Way You End Partisanship

I have to give major props to President Obama for inviting a slew of Democratic and Republican members of Congress over to the White House for a Super Bowl party. In what is probably an underrated example of how President Obama is living out his pledge to create a better non-partisan culture in Washington, he had members of Congress as well as their families join his family and watch the big game and play Nintendo Wii. Oatmeal cookies were served, but I'd assume that buffalo wings and other food was probably whipped up by the White House chef.

Romans 12:20 tells us, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Now it doesn't say anything inviting them over for football, so again I commend President Obama from going beyond the biblical mandate.

He also modeled the hospitality for which we are admonished to do in Hebrews 13:2, by opening his home to not strangers in this case, but members of a political party which are looking forward to putting him back in the private sector by 2013. Did he inadvertently entertain angels? Of course not, they're politicians - pretty much as far as you can get from angelic besides tobacco manufacturing or pornography. But seriously, the thought of President Obama taking coats, showing guests where the bathroom is and introducing his kids to other members of Congress' kids makes me feel pretty good. I don't see eye to eye with President Obama on a number of issues, but he seems like a guy I'd enjoy hanging out with. So President Obama, if you're ever in the area and want to play a game of foosball, come on over.

So in the simple act of inviting members of Congress, many of those from an opposing political party, and walking around the room with a platter of oatmeal cookies, President Obama has provided a couple of good examples of what servant leadership looks like. Naturally, what's incumbent for all of us to do is to emulate Jesus Christ, the quintessential servant leader; and to also pray for President Obama to similarly emulate Christ's example.