I’ve been inspired by the reports about and the archived interviews with President Jimmy Carter. I can remember my father being so excited about having President Carter in office, especially when he told the nation that he would always tell the truth. These memories about President Carter’s character are personal and real to me, not just a random news report.
As “I Come to the Garden Alone” (favorite old hymn), I’m lead to ask myself, “has my life mattered?” And if it has, will it still matter in the future?”
With President Carter, his life wasn’t about checking off a list of good deeds, but about how connected his soul was to God. From that sacred relationship sprung living waters: racial justice, marital fidelity, integrity, presidential humility, peace accords, gender equity, advocacy for the poor and marginalized, medical research, and Bible teaching. His gifts obviously equipped others and all because Jimmy Carter assuredly knew that God loved him and he loved God. Instead of the one time implementation of a single New Year’s resolution, he daily lived a life “loving the Lord my God with all my heart and soul, and my neighbor as myself.”
What will your children, children’s children, and their children say about you when you’ve passed on?
Hosea 10:12
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.