Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday September 26, 2007

"I tried never to forget who I was and where I came from and where I would go back to."

The statement refers to a grand mans philosophy of serving. He demonstrated a servant's heart when Eugene List, an American Soldier, was to play for a gathering of the most powerful leaders in the world at that time. Mr. List asked for a volunteer to turn the pages for him. Our man got up from his place and throughout a brilliant performance turned the pages for List. The gathering was stunned, not by the brilliant performance of Eugene List, but by the performance of the page turner.

The page turner had overcome enormous odds to even be in the room with List. He had failed at his business, was called a crook by a less than savory political machine, used what his religious denomination considered scandalous language and had made several of the most gut wrenching decisions in the history of the world. And here he was, turning pages for a soldier playing the piano.

Harry S. Truman was very good at turning the pages and also at writing his name large on the pages of history.

When I was much younger I recall a country song, usually sung through the left nostril, some of the lyrics stated, "Pick me up on your way down." The idea behind the song was that so many people climb up the ladder of supposed success and then at the pinnacle, down they come. In many cases they have brutally used friends and associates and when the chance came, they discarded friends, family, morals or anything that may have hindered their climb. They leave a trail littered with broken hearts and lives. This pattern is not limited to Nashville, but is a well worn path in the ministry.

President Truman realized the frailty of position, he understood the tenuous nature of leadership, he knew the best leader in history had been crucified, so he kept reality in mind and did not fall prey to the myth of his own invincibility.

To recognize at our core level that possessions, position or pecuniary blessings are not set in concrete is a clear mark of mature learning, this knowledge is evidence that you know it is God who gives you the power to have, to rule or to lead. I assure you that knowing it is God who raises one person up and puts another down, has kept my heart in peace through some otherwise very dark nights, having been brought low, to a place of humility.

Imagine Harry Truman, The President of The United States of America, the sole possessor of nuclear bombs, the defacto ruler of the Free World, in front of Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and numerous other dignitaries turning the pages for a piano recital.

"I tried never to forget who I was and where I came from and where I would go back to."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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