Jimmy Carter RIP

I remember, as a 21year-old youth worker at the Episcopal mission to the Arapaho in Ethete, Wyoming, hearing about the candidacy of Jimmy Carter for president. There was such excitement about a self-consciously Christian leader of moral integrity. Obviously his popularity, and so his stature as a political figure, declined in the subsequent years. (I do still think, however, that a legacy of Middle East peace, a balanced budget, and environmental awareness will age well).

But none of this is what I want to praise in this obituary blog. Carter suffered a humbling defeat in 1980. But it was what, by the grace of God, he did with defeat that was so remarkable. Peace envoy/ Habitat advocate/ leader in global health: he leveraged his prior station in a final career of diakonia. He has been called ‘the greatest ex-President’. Even his time in hospice became a witness for others. This one thing Jimmy Carter did is this, to forget what lay behind and to press on toward ‘the goal of the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 3:14). We are indebted to him for his example.

Peace

+GRS

Posted by The Rt. Rev. George Sumner with

Complete the Race (II Timothy 4:17)

At the end of our vacation we find ourselves in Chicago for its Marathon weekend (the fastest, I have read this morning, perhaps because it is cool and relatively level). Marathons offer many good things. You can see world-class athletes from places like Ethiopia and Kenya. There is a feel of fiesta with signs by family members, getups by some for-fun runners, and food for sale.

But as I looked out my hotel window at 7:30 a.m., I watched the race of competitors who have lost legs or their use. Wheeling vehicles by arm for 26 miles means serious fitness and determination.

Those competitors were to me, this morning, a symbol of the Church too. For each is wounded. The larger family cheers them on. Each by grace has risen up to run the race. Ahead is the goal, the prize, the welcome home. We find the companionship of Jesus the Lord, there, and along the route too.

Amen.

GRS

 

   

Categories
Authors
Archive