“Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here today to celebrate the life and times of Brother Jimmy Carter—a man as complicated as the gumbo down in New Orleans and just as unpredictable.
Some called him a peanut farmer; others called him a politician. But let’s not forget that in his early days, some folks also called him, and I quote, ‘ignorant, racist, backward, ultra-conservative, and red-necked.’ Now that’s not my opinion, that’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution speaking—Amen!
Now, Brother Jimmy, bless his heart, had himself a journey, didn’t he? A man who didn’t want Black children and white children walking down the same sidewalk somehow found his way into the good graces of the Black community. That’s a miracle, church! I guess we can thank political ambition for helping Brother Jimmy see the light—or at least enough light to get elected. Hallelujah!
Oh, but let’s not be too hard on the man. After all, he did vote to integrate his Baptist church, back when the rest of his congregation was clutching their pearls and their prejudices.
And let me tell you, that vote must have felt like walking through the valley of the shadow of death for poor Jimmy. Yet, he and Sister Rosalynn stood firm—two out of three votes in favor of integration. That’s progress, church, even if it’s slow as molasses in January.
Now, I’ve read that when segregation reared its ugly head after Brown v. Board of Education, Brother Jimmy refused to join the White Citizens’ Council. Can I get an Amen for that? But let’s not forget, church, he also cozied up to segregationists like a politician cozying up to donors. Why? Because Brother Jimmy understood that when you’re running for office in Georgia in the 1960s, you’ve got to play the game—even if the game smells like old racism and hypocrisy.
But, oh, when Brother Jimmy finally got what he wanted—when he stood as Governor of Georgia in 1970—he declared, ‘The time for racial discrimination is over!’
Now isn’t that something? A man who once didn’t want us on the same sidewalk was now preaching integration from the Governor’s mansion. If that ain’t a Southern Baptist revival moment, I don’t know what is!
Now let me say this: Jimmy Carter’s story reminds us of the Lord’s mercy and the power of redemption. It also reminds us that people can change, even if they only change when it benefits them. Can I get a witness?
So today, we remember Brother Jimmy Carter, a man who started out walking on the wrong side of history but somehow found his way to the right side—mostly. We thank the Lord that he finally saw the light, even if it took political ambition to flip the switch.
Rest in peace, Brother Jimmy. May the sidewalks in Heaven be wide enough for everyone to walk together. And may the Lord remind you daily of all the times you stumbled before you finally learned to stand.
Amen and amen!”
