As this is being written Jimmy Carter is nearing the end of his long and productive life. In some ways a life of improbabilities. One that mixed the humility of Christian charity and submissiveness with political ambition and accomplishment.
Carter rose from relative obscurity in rural Georgia to become governor of that state, and then president of the United States. He emerged from a racist and redneck family and community background to be the epitome of Christian openness and acceptance. And was able to merge his life as a politician with Christian advocacy, willing to risk much to serve others. Willing to continue that service long after losing his high office.
As a human being Carter quickly admitted his shortcomings and failures. And never stopped his allegiance to the power of prayer and teachings of Jesus.
He came from a family of characters and eccentrics. Especially a mother and brother. But he never apologized for them, and even demonstrated his love and respect for their quirkiness. While originally careful about his dealings with Blacks in a segregated south, he ultimately reached out to them, and enfolded them individually and collectively into his sphere of influence and support. And they loved him for it.
His choice of a wife was inspired. He built a relationship with Rosalynn that brought her fully into a compatible, mutually supportive way of thinking and acting. Even while in the White House Rosalynn was frequently part of every meeting. Every decision. And that demeanor continues to this day. Both loving and respectful of her insight and intelligence.
Carter is an amazing example of an authentic Christian somebody. The antithesis of those who claim to be Christians yet use that status to justify holier than thou dogmatizing. Those who twist Christian virtues into moralistic admonitions, suitable for supporting popular political positions or their brand of nationalistic imperative.
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN SOMEBODIES IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Christianity as a foundation for one’s life is now seen by many to be a brand of submissiveness, a way of quiet believing and acting that depends solely on compliance with the will of God. As discerned through scripture and the recognized teachings of Jesus.
That way of thinking and acting is NOT tantamount to becoming nobodies. They are indeed good Christians. Believers who acknowledge and even rely on the power of God within them. Accepting that condition as part of a persona allows and even undergirds a kind of quiet confidence. Even limited assertiveness when necessary.
Carter recognized that element of his belief. And never felt constrained by it to the point of just blending in. Being ordinary. Quietly being a God-fearing peanut farmer in central Georgia.
Instead, it gave him confidence and appropriate forms of civic assertiveness.
The God within him, as a human born with God-given leadership attributes, absorbed Christian teachings as a foundation for providing the kind of service that builds up others.
God gives us a platform for becoming fully human when born, but it is a combination of that existing DNA and adherence to Christ’s teachings to support others that makes us exceptional Christian servants.
Servant leaders, not just self-effacing Christians who do nothing more than follow obediently. Attend church services. Join groups. Give to charities. Obey blindly. Follow moralistic dictates of those who proclaim their connection to the Almighty. Through the power of their personalities, voices, and even the masculine mystique that inculcates the essence of some human cultures.
The authentic Christian somebody emulates Jesus, symbolically washing feet one day and giving the Sermon on the Mount the next. Inspiring others toward a better way to live through becoming and bestowing.
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