I was six years old in 1976, in Mrs. Pittman's first-grade class at Jolly Elementary in Stone Mountain, Georgia, when I cast my first vote for president. It was a mock election designed to introduce us to American politics.
Of course, I had very little understanding of politics at the time—if any at all—but my path was clearly set as I cast my vote for Gerald Ford. Jimmy Carter won the class vote, and I am sure I was one of the few people from Georgia who did not vote for him. He won the state with a 67% majority.
Over the years, I have come to admire President Carter. He was a man of service and a living example of how to live well. He embodied the biblical principle of wearing the "shoes of peace." He is precisely the kind of politician we could use in today's political environment.
"And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15, NKJV).
The Apostle Paul called on believers to wear the full armor of God every day and prepare for spiritual battle. Shoes are essential, as they provide a firm foundation for standing strong. The "preparation" symbolizes readiness to act and share the good news of peace. As Isaiah 52:7 states: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace..." Further, shoes of peace help us walk confidently in tough times.
President Carter wore shoes of peace. He deeply cared for people around the world and, as a man of service long after his presidency ended, provided us with a powerful example to follow.
He has often been labeled a "weak" leader, but this is a misunderstanding of his purpose and demeanor. His lack of a second term led some to call his presidency a "failure," but becoming president at all is an incredible achievement, reflecting a lifetime of effort and commitment. President Carter believed deeply in action and perseverance. His message from the 1979 "Malaise Speech" remains as relevant today as it was then:
"In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We’ve learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose."
At the time, President Carter was managing a nation facing an energy crisis, hyperinflation, and shortages due to foreign dependence. His call to action emphasized the values needed to live well: hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and faith in God. How might this message resonate with today's society?
His "shoes of peace" symbolized readiness for challenges and a steady foundation during difficult times.
"I want to talk to you right now about a fundamental threat to American democracy...The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation."
President Carter's call was for us to rediscover the "meaning of our lives" and a "unity of purpose." He understood well that "a house divided falls."
His Christian faith was the foundation of his life. While some conservatives may feel his politics were at odds with his faith, hindsight suggests there was little conflict. He brought the best of Christianity into his presidency while safeguarding liberty for those who did not share his beliefs.
What should we remember as we lay our 39th president to rest? Be a person of service to others. Be someone who brings a message of peace. Recognize that our duty to others extends beyond the moment—it is a lifelong calling. Retirement is for the weak and self-indulgent. Be a positive influence who builds others up rather than tearing them down.
From this Georgia boy to another: well done, Mr. President. Thank you for your Christlike example.
Let me leave the last word to President Carter, from his "Crisis of Confidence" speech:
"In closing, let me say this: I will do my best, but I will not do it alone. Let your voice be heard. Whenever you have a chance, say something good about our country. With God’s help and for the sake of our nation, it is time for us to join hands in America. Let us commit ourselves together to a rebirth of the American spirit. Working together with our common faith, we cannot fail."
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