So here is a video that is causing a lot of stir right now among Americans and especially conservative Christians.

This video is designed to support the President’s call to service and “being the change" we want to see in our county. It calls us to play our part in serving others, reducing our environmental impact, and being a more generous and gracious people. Seems pretty politically neutral to me and a message I hope our president would be spreading rather than one of abuse and continued marginalization of people.

The biggest rub for people is not necessarily the content, but the connection to Obama even though he didn’t make this video, but from Oprah’s production company. The stir is also coming because it suggests you serve because the President is asking you to not because it’s the right thing to do.

There are parents who are threatening to pull their kids out of school because this video or another one like it is going to be playing in our schools and they’re not happy about not having the choice to allow their kids to see it. I get the consent thing, but come on this is a great message and frankly one we should be hearing in our churches more. If we were all doing our job as Christ-followers and those who believe in generousicity and responsibility for the neighbor, he’d be thanking us for our efforts.

It makes me wonder if the same people who are upset about it would support this video if it was created by someone else or even a republican president. Or if they even buy into the message of everyone pitching in to make a difference.

As an individual that has committed his life to serve the very people this video is calling us to support regardless of who’s in it or who’s represented in, I’m saddened that more aren’t excited about this message. But, if serving someone else was an easy job, we’d all do it more.

Politics aside, there are people hurting in our city, Fort Wayne, and around the country who are asking for help. These are not just neighbors but human beings. Human beings God calls us to love, support and care for. They are the apple of His eye just as we are.

We need to drop the rocks. If nothing else, look past who’s in the video. Close your eyes and just listen to the message of service. We have to do something.