A Legacy of Humanity
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100 (making him the longest living president in U.S. history). Carter served as the Governor of Georgia on his way to winning the White House in 1976. Four years later, he was soundly defeated by Ronald Reagan. Though Carter’s presidency is criticized by many, he dedicated the nearly 45 remaining years of his life to quiet humanitarian service, earning him the respect and admiration of many across the political spectrum.
Analysis and eternal perspective: Until he fell too ill to continue, it was common to find Jimmy Carter—former U.S. President and Georgia Governor—on the jobsite of a Habitat for Humanity build, or doing other public service. Unlike many VIP participants in charity events, Carter did not show up simply to promote the work; He showed up to do the work. Time and time again, Carter showed up, fastened his work belt, and set about the task of contributing to humanity in a tangible way.
It is a remarkable example of quietly declining to allow bitterness to chart his life’s course. While the analysis of a presidency is often mostly a partisan endeavor, Carter’s one term in office is among the less-celebrated terms in American history. It would have been very easy—perhaps even “normal”—for Carter to stew about the world events and circumstances that contributed to his challenging time in office. It would have seemed excusable to be defensive, and to counter the prevailing narrative that his time in public service had largely been a failure.
Instead, President Carter simply quietly went to work. In many ways, President Carter became just “Jimmy” again and embraced the role of serving his fellow man. It is this dedication that leaves behind a legacy of humanity, and it is this focus you and I should grow in today.
You and I often quote the first part of Gal 5:13 in the context of freedom: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.” What a beautiful gift that freedom is! In reality, however, that freedom only maintains the value it is imbued with if it is used in the fashion directed by the second half of the verse: “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Serve one another humbly in love.
In many ways, a former U.S. President has an abundance of freedom—including the luxury of choosing how to spend life’s remaining years with less concern for provision than most of us. We should learn from the way “Jimmy” used that freedom. He didn’t seek the limelight he could have easily attained. Instead, he put on humility and a work belt, and he quietly served humanity in a spirit of love.
May we as Jesus followers and The Equipped community be known for such a service!
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.