“Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” (Isaiah 55:4)
We lost a great man last week. When he became president, he told our country that that he was a Ford and not a Lincoln. I am not sure I agree with him. How many times over the last couple of weeks did we hear the words to describe him that we often hear associated with Lincoln – honest, humble – a man who held our country together during one of its most vulnerable times.
I remember Gerald Ford very well. I was a senior in college when he assumed the Office of President. In fact, I can remember where I was the moment I heard that Nixon had resigned, providing Ford the opportunity to model forgiveness in a way that will never be forgotten. His pardon was not popular then, but the years have taught us his decision was the right one.
Interestingly, half of the 300 million people who call themselves Americans knew very little about Gerald Ford until last week. Most of them weren’t born by 1974. Those who were born had not yet learned to read and write – too small to remember his presidency.
Much of what this group of Americans knows about President Ford was learned in the last two weeks. They heard about his faith, his love for his family, and his ability to rise above the fray and do the right thing.
What they really heard about Gerald Ford during the three funeral services that were held for him is how much he modeled the life of Christ. Time magazine referred to him on its website this week as the “other born-again president”. The Time article reported that Ford steadfastly refused to allow his faith to become public, especially when his chaplain told him it could help him win the 1976 Presidential election. “I have always felt a closeness to God and have looked to a higher being for guidance and support,” Ford explained, “but I didn’t think it was appropriate to advertise my religious beliefs.” In a published tribute to his chaplain, Ford later said of both of them: “Both put our trust in Christ, our Savior, and have relied on Him for direction and guidance throughout our lives.”
It is important for those around us to see Christ in our lives, too. The Bible Literacy Project reports that most young people know very little about the Bible. If that’s true, then that means they know very little about the life of Christ. What they do learn about Him will likely come from the individuals who are willing to model Christ-like qualities, and like Gerald Ford, quietly show those around them that the choices we make ultimately define the quality of the life we live.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) Just a few verses later, He told us that we should not be ashamed to show our faith in how we live our lives. “You are the light of the world,” He explained. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
When all is said and done, “good works”, examples of mercy and grace, are what they will remember most about our lives. Let your family see your love for Jesus. There’s no greater legacy you can leave them than the opportunity to know the Christ that helped you live the life they saw.
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