Like millions of Americans, I watched the funeral of President Jimmy Carter yesterday. I was surprised by the depth of the emotion that I felt. I was just 21 years old when he was elected, a man who made the phrase ‘born again’ known as he talked openly about his faith in Jesus.
His presidency was marked by a pursuit of human rights and peace, priorities shaped by the teaching of his Savior. In the half century that followed his four years in the White House, those who eulogized him repeatedly referenced the fact that he continued “to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with (his) God.” (Micah 6.8) What a legacy!
Some believe that he made an even greater mark in the world after being President than he did while in office, again because he never forgot that Jesus was his True Center.
What
story are you writing with the choices you will make today?
I’m meditating on that question today, thinking about the ordinary ways in
which I can serve others, love the least, and encourage hope.
How easily we are trapped by the same impulse that fed the decisions of the man of whom Jesus spoke. He found himself rich after abundant harvests and concluded that it was time to “Eat, drink, and be merry!” (Luke 19) Jesus said that he chose foolishly because he forgot God and good. “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Don’t miss the point. It was not his wealth that was wrong, it was his failure to make God first.
For those who live only for creature comforts, to accumulate possessions, or to create a fiefdom over which they can be a petty lord – there will be little to remember! Their only monument will be a piece of carved granite in a cemetery.
But for
those who live with a godly passion, loving God and others deeply, who keep a
humble heart, and who serve wherever and whenever without regard to the deservedness
of others – they will be memorialized in people who are 'living stones.'
Paul knew this and served without fear or selfish motive. He told the
Christians in the city of Corinth that “you are a letter from Christ showing
the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and
ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of
stone, but on human hearts.” (2
Corinthians 3.3)
Let’s not be
deceived by the lies that all of life’s rewards are found right here, right
now. Beware of taking too short of a measure of life.
Instead, let us pray to live in faith!
Let us pray for opportunities to do good!
Let us seek to “walk humbly with God.”
Let us make our true wealth the love of others.
If we do those things God will fuel in us a vision for our lives that will draw us on to greater adventures of faith, not for self-aggrandizement, but for His honor.
Here is a word from the Word for this day. I hope it is what will be said of me when I exit this world for my eternal home. How about you?
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Keep writing a story of grace and good for the glory of God!
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