Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 12/30/24

It was a wonderful life. 2024 draws to a close with Sunday’s news that Jimmy Carter, the 39th – and longest-lived – President of the United States, has died at the age of 100. Just about ten years ago, at the age of 90, he shared the lessons he would pass on to his 12-year-old younger self in a CBS News recurring feature called Note to Self. Here are some lessons I think we all can take from that note.

1. Have faith and persevere. With God all things are possible. Building on the foundation of his deep religious faith, Jimmy Carter rose from a relativity modest beginning to great heights – that, of course, included the presidency and the enduring peace deal between Israel and Egypt. His run for the White House at first seemed quixotic but his determination and faith beat the odds. A peace deal between Israel and Egypt appeared all but impossible but he persisted and achieved the goal. In his lifetime, he also contributed to this country’s great strides in racial justice as, over the decades, progress has been made that also at one time seemed impossible.
2. There will be detours on your way to dreams but be patient. God has plans “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In a seemingly real-life nod to the classic Capra Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Carter had to put his personal dreams of a career in the US Navy on hold as, after his father’s death, he returned home to help save the family business. God had more in store for him than he probably even imagined though as his journey led him to become our nation’s Commander-in-Chief, not to mention all his post-presidency contributions to society.
3. “We must accommodate changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” In his inaugural address, Carter quoted the wisdom of his high school teacher Julia Coleman who taught the importance of discerning, as the song goes, “knowin’ what to throw away and knowin’ what to keep.” Success in life isn’t about the ultimate of triumph conservatives or progressives. It’s not about one side destroying the other. It’s about each side learning from and balancing the other. We all have something to contribute. We need to listen to each other more. To quote the Greek philosopher Epictetus (I feel smart even typing that),“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” On the other hand, our voices are important too and we must never be shamed into not speaking up and speak out when the situation calls for it.
4. Admit and take responsibility for your mistakes. At the same time don’t be guilted into bad decisions – especially by people of ill intent. When the plan to rescue the American hostages taken by Iran went horribly awry, President Carter took full responsibility for the decision to move forward. He did not pass the buck. He was indeed a good man. Unfortunately, IMHO, he was naive in thinking that the revolutionary government that his presidency helped usher in when it pulled the rug out from under the very imperfect Shah of Iran would be one that would work with the United States in alignment with Carter’s own deep concern for human rights when its leaders actually detested freedom in general – and the United States in particular. The hard truth is we have enemies in this world – and no matter how hard we try to placate them they’re still out to hurt people. So, it’s both important to both admit our own imperfections and to resolve to do better while not allowing that positive disposition to be exploited by true enemies. It’s a lesson the world is still learning. The balance between arrogance and excessive self-doubt and guilt can be a tough one to master (particular for people who strive to be good) but neither extreme is healthy for a society or for individuals.
5. Use setbacks to learn and “set even higher goals whenever possible.” When you stumble is not the time to crumble. Carter’s mistakes may have cost him the presidency but he went on to perhaps the most successful post-presidency ever. We all make mistakes – or get knocked down by forces beyond our control – the important thing is to keep going knowing that God is with you.
6. God heals. For any of you fighting an illness, it’s worth noting that in 2015 (around the time the above video was made) the former president was given a bleak cancer diagnosis – but, with the help of medical treatment he ironically helped accelerate as president, he overcame those odds as well. Personally, I believe prayer by those who loved him and his personal faith also played a very positive role in his recovery. Whatever you’re going through, maintain hope. Ask with gratitude. I’ve seen prayer work.
7. Charity begins at home. Keep focused on building and maintaining positive relationships, especially with your family and friends. Nothing is greater proof of a life well-lived than the love of those who know you best. Jimmy Carter certainly is loved by his family and those who know him best. That, to me, is positive proof of a life well lived.

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.