By Mona Austin
There is a way for Christians to serve in public life without being intrusive or over-bearing while living out their faith. James Earl Carter commonly known as Jimmy Carter, showed the world this way. He illustrated this model by consulting God about major decisions, studying Christian teachings and doing humanitarian work to lift up those in need globally. At the time, the oldest living former president and first to become a centenarian was acknowledged with a display on the front lawn of the White House for his 100th birthday this year. Today, the flags above the residence is flying at half staff to honor his memory. An outpouring of tributes from world leaders across the political spectrum, recognized him as a compassionate leader.
Carter's life was divided along two major fronts -- politics and philanthropy.
From 1977 to 1981, the son of a peanut farmer and nurse from Plains, GA, approached public service as a calling. It was Carter who negotiated the Peace Accord between Israel and Egypt. He returned the Panama Canal to Panama. Additionally, he normalized U.S. relations with China and acted as a peacemaker with Russia. But, When he was finished with serving as the president he continued to be a servant, defining what it means to be a servant leader. In 2002 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing peace around the word long after he his departure from the job.
A devoted husband to the late Rosalyn Carter for over 70 years, he also was an example of being a man of God to his family. He once said that rather than "faith" being a noun it is a verb, an action word. He taught Sunday School at his home church after leaving office For him, actions had a higher purpose that superseded being an elected official, which would not allow him to quit trying to change the world.
After being defeated by Ronald Reagan 43 years ago, the single term leader went on to have arguably even greater impact outside of Washington. He entered office two years after Pres. Richard Nixon was depleted in the Watergate scandal. Carter failed to build up the nation's morale as political issues arose internationally.
The creator of the Department of Energy and the Department of Education, President Carter had looked out for opportunities to enhance people's lives through government policies. He had a significant affect on individual's lives by building affordable homes with Habitat for Humanity. For the African American community in particular, Carter championed Civil Rights causes such as the King Center and various social and economic programs.
In his book, "Faith: A Journey for All" Carter wrote, "A person should have as our goal complete agape (self-sacrificial love). The most we can expect from a society is to institute simple justice."
Much of the work he did in life was performed hand-in-hand with his wife and best friend. Both devout Christians they exercised their faith through the work at the Carter Center that gave them a path into international affairs, as well as various humanitarian efforts around the world. Although there were times that illness befell him, Mr. Carter worked his whole life until he was no longer able to. He spent the last almost 2 years in at-home hospice care. Too frail to speak at his wife's 2023 funeral, he attended but was confined to a wheelchair. His daughter read a letter that he had written to his beloved 75 years earlier when deployed overseas in the Navy.
It read: "While I'm away, I tried to convince myself that you really are not, could not be, as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you, I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn't to me. Goodbye, darling. Until tomorrow, Jimmy."
Tomorrow has come for two divinely linked lovers whose souls are reunited in eternal rest.
Carters life and legacy can be summed up in four words: good and faithful servant.