Last night, President Obama made it clear to Congress: "Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people."

Over the past year, I have joined with my brothers and sisters of faith in the PICO National Network to work for comprehensive health reform that makes insurance affordable for the many families we minister to in congregations across the country who are struggling to secure quality insurance.

We have joined with organizations representing tens of millions of Americans from all walks of life in working to get so close to this historic moment not only in our country's political history, but our moral history: passage of legislation guaranteeing access to health care.

It was not surprising then, that I found myself shouting out a resounding "Amen" when the President spoke these words.

What caused this outburst was not just his call for finishing reform; it was also the leadership he called for in this trying moment for our country. Amidst the political turmoil of the last week, President Obama called on leaders in Washington to avoid "playing it safe" in order to "get through the next election," but instead to "do what's best for the next generation."

That, in my estimation, is the definition of moral leadership. Now it's time for Congress and the Administration to follow through on this call to action.

I thought of Habakkuk 2:3 where the words are written: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Scripture teaches us that a moral community does what is necessary to protect the lives of each member of society; it makes room at the table of plenty for everyone. It is long past time that we made room at the life-sustaining health care table of plenty for everyone of God's children.

Despite the hyper-polarized political environment in Washington and across the country, the President reminded us that, in addition to the rising cost of health care for families, our country continues to face major challenges like high unemployment, a never-ending foreclosure crisis and a broken immigration system. And he made it clear that the American people expect both parties to come together to...well...actually govern and get things done, not make every day Election Day.