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| Along the Way 7-2-10 |
 Justice John Paul Stevens, 90, retired from the Supreme Court as the end of this week’s term after 34 years of service. He and I began our callings at just about the same time. Appointed by President Gerald Ford, Stevens will be remembered as a leader of the liberal wing of the court. Attired in his bow-tie he was one of the more humble justices. Jess Bravin reported in The Wall Street Journal (June 30, 2010) that whereas other justices would interrupt attorneys to assert their points, Justice Stevens would often begin with these words, “May I ask you a question?” What most caught my attention in Mr. Bravin’s article was this observation by University of Oklahoma law professor Joseph Thai, a former clerk to Stevens, “He approached every case like it was the most important case in the world.” That’s high praise. For every high profile case involving gun rights, immigration, abortion, etc., there are 5 or 10 other cases dealing with obscure but highly important matters of law. Surely it must have been tempting to let things slide every once in awhile in hopes the other 8 justices would pick up the slack on a particularly obscure case. It would take a rare person over the course of 34 years to be faithful to the conscientious practice of the finer points of the law in season and out of season. I mention this virtue of faithful consistency because it is equally important in ministry…mine and yours. Every person is created by God, made in God’s image, and every person is worthy of our respect and attention. Though these words are quite easy to write they are much more difficult to practice. To treat others with dignity and respect, to serve one another as brother or sister, to become slave to one another (Galatians 5:13) over the long haul is the glorious privilege and continuing challenge to every follower of Jesus. Let’s be honest: there are some days (or weeks) when it is extremely hard to relate to people as Christ would have us. One can (usually) do okay when the other person is kind, gracious, shares common opinions/theology/political positions: you get the picture. But many people don’t fit that profile! Our calling, God willing, is to relate to all persons with the same Christian demeanor. Thanks, Justice Stevens, for your consistent attention to the law, and for reminding us that the same principle holds in the far more complex and rewarding endeavor of loving others. About this Sunday: fire up the grill, enjoy the spectacular fireworks, celebrate our nation’s independence…and come to worship! Creede Hinshaw |
