Good morning…
On Sunday, I scheduled my day around being home by 7:00 pm to watch 60 Minutes. I did not want to miss the interview between Scott Pelley and Ben Sasse, offering lessons for America.
Now, up in the middle of the night, I revisit the transcript and share portions of the exchange which touch me most deeply.
- Ben Sasse would like a final word. At the age of 54, the former U.S. senator of Nebraska is dying of pancreatic cancer. But a new drug is giving him extra time — time to hear his appeal for reason in Washington and community at home. Sasse is a conservative Republican of independent thought. With a PhD in American history, he once told his fellow senators “the people despise us all… because we are not doing our job.”
- I love America, and I think there’s a lot of big and meaty things that we should’ve been talking about, and we still can talk about. And having a terminal diagnosis isn’t really that unique. We’re all always on the clock. Some of us have the benefit, maybe– it’s a weird word– but the benefit of knowing our time is finite and defined, and it becomes an opportunity to talk about bigger stuff.
- I have a lotta things that I think we should be reflecting on together. Reflecting, he told us, on rebuilding communities — neighbor to neighbor, regulating artificial intelligence before it overwhelms us and mending broken politics.
- I don’t spend much time commenting on our current politics, because I don’t really think our current politics are driving what’s happening. I think it’s mostly an echo of what’s happening. I think we have really thin, shallow community right now. And unless people know the thickness of their local community, it’s hard to make sense of what national politics are for. I think our national political dysfunction is an echo of larger problems.
- We got a lotta people who serve in government who really do think the highest and greatest thing you can ever do is have the title senator or congressman. Bull***t. The best thing you can do is be called Dad or Mom, lover, neighbor, friend. Governor? Senator? House member? It’s a great way to serve. It should be your 11th calling or maybe sixth, but never top.
As the thirteen minute interview comes to an end, we hear this heartfelt dialogue between Scott and Ben.
- Scott Pelley: I make no comparison to what you’re going through. But there was a moment on 9/11 at the World Trade Center that I knew I was dead. And in that lightning flash of an instant, the only thing that crossed my mind was leaving my family behind. And I wonder how you reconcile that.
- Ben Sasse: Yeah. I am incredibly blessed. My wife, Melissa, has– we’ve been married 31 years. I– we’re gonna be apart for a time. But she’s tough and gritty and theologically rooted, and she’s gonna be fine. My daughters are 24 and 22. And they’re extraordinary. I wanna walk ’em down the aisle when they get married. That’s not likely to be. That’s not the—the math on my time card. My son– we have a providential surprise. He’s a decade younger than big sisters. He’s 14, and– he’s gonna be fine. He’ll have other—other wise men and women to put a hand on his shoulder. But I’m super bummed to not be there– at 16 and 18 and 20 years old in his life I wanna– give him more advice than he wants, and I wanna put my arm on his shoulder, and I want his shoulders to get taller. But it’s not a surprise to God.
- Scott Pelley: And God, you believe, has a plan.
- Ben Sasse: Absolutely. There are no maverick molecules in the universe.
I think to myself, “It is truly an honor to be called Mom, lover, neighbor, friend, and, as I prepare to add the new role of grandmother, I believe God has a plan.”
So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face (Romans 12:4-13, MSG).
…Sue…
P.S. Enjoy watching the initial interview below, and, if you are interested, check out the “Extended interview: Ben Sasse on lessons for America.”
