Sunday, December 22, 2002

Luke 22: 24 - 27

In the 20th or 21st century to be elected president of the USA, history's strongest superpower, isn't that "true greatness?" Many people would say, "Yes!" But Jesus calls us to look beyond political power and prestige to humble service for others, especially the most needy persons in our world.

Jimmy Carter became president in l976 after being in the US navy and then in civic roles: l955-62 on a county board, l962-66 in the Georgia senate and l97l-75 as Georgia governor. As governor, he raised the number of black Georgians on state boards and agencies from 3 to 53 and black state employees to 40% of the total. He hung the first portrait of a black American, Martin Luther King, Jr., in the state capitol.

At considerable political risk, Carter made his first act as president the pardon of Vietnam War era draft-evaders and the review of all less-than-honorable military discharges of those years. He established full diplomatic relations with China (l979) and brought together Israeli and Palestinian leaders to work out a peace agreement that same year.

Although soundly defeated for re-election in l980, Carter became a most-active leader and participant in causes of peace, justice, disease control, and affordable housing. The list of countries he traveled to and worked for tension-reduction, truces, and/or a peace agreement includes: Ethiopia (l989), North Korea (l99l), Somalia (l993), Bosnia (l994), Haiti (l994), and Cuba (2002). Countries in which he led teams of election monitors include: Panama (l989), Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic (l990), and Paraguay (l993).

In Atlanta in l986 he had established the Carter Center, a combination presidential library and research-discussion-action facility for peace, justice, poverty-reduction and disease-control/ elimination projects. The Center brings together many former government leaders and current specialists to deal with this wide range of important issues.

Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, who has been one of his strongest supporters and closest advisors since their marriage in l946, have been active participants in Habitat for Humanity, helping with house-building projects several times a year as well as encouraging its worldwide growth.

Carter admits feeling very discouraged after being defeated in his l980 presidential re-election bid, but since then he has enthusiastically taught at Emory University, written more than a dozen books, and continued to teach church school classes--in addition to everything mentioned above.

In his book The Virtues of Aging, Carter writes about I Corinthians l2-l4 in these words:

The Corinthians asked Saint Paul to define the things that were most important, with eternal significance. His response was somewhat mysterious: the things we cannot see.... What we cannot see are the component parts of love that Paul delineates: patience, kindness, truthfulness, hope, endurance, and generosity. These are the elements of success in life, common to almost all religions. How much wealth, fame, intelligence, education, or prestige do they require?

Right on, former president Jimmy Carter, disciple of true greatness.

O young and fearless Prophet of ancient Galilee, thy life is still a summons to serve humanity; to make our thoughts and actions less prone to please the crowd, to stand with humble courage for truth with hearts uncowed.

O young and fearless Prophet, we need thy presence here, amid our pride and glory to see thy face appear; once more to hear thy challenge above our noisy day, again to lead us forward along God's holy way.
          S. Ralph Harlow      UM Hymnal #444

Frank Kuhlman

All contents copyright 2002 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.