The Faith-Filled Journey of Tim Scott

By Charleston Southern on December 5, 2011 - 10:14 am in Learning / no comments

He spends his time as a freshman congressman hobnobbing with some of Washington’s elite.

His aides follow him everywhere, guarding his precious moments, even at his alma mater, where he’s scheduled an hour for videotaping and an interview.

When he arrives on campus on an August afternoon, the heat index has climbed to 112; he has already spoken to a chamber of commerce, attended a luncheon and has a full afternoon scheduled.

For his formal photograph, we select a wingback chair in the lobby of the Chapel, and when he sits down he laughingly discovers that the chair reclines.

He’s on his home turf, among friends, feeling comfortable and relaxed.

Halfway through the interview, his feet hit the floor, he rests his arms on his knees, leans forward and speaks with intensity – because now we’re talking about Tim Scott’s faith.

The Faith Factor

“Politics is my mission field,” said Scott. “I don’t do it well all the time, but I am an ambassador for the Lord’s love all the time.” And Scott knows sometimes that love has to be tough. He is serious about the teaching about Christians and government authorities found in Romans 13.

“As a country, I want to correct where we’re wrong and emphasize where we’re right,” said Scott. “My goal is to be a public servant who seeks divine wisdom from the Lord.”

Scott, a Lowcountry native, was attending Presbyterian College on a small football scholarship when he gave his life to the Lord. “I decided that the Lord wanted me to do something with my life besides play football,” said Scott. He received a Christian Leadership Scholarship from Charleston Southern and Morris Street Baptist Church which allowed him to enroll at CSU.

Scott describes his time at Charleston Southern as a time where he was back at home, surrounded by people who loved him and were committed to the Lord. “One of the things that happened during my four years at CSU was the ability to learn how to think, how to process, how to plan, to uncover my potential,” he said. “The Lord’s Word, the Bible itself, is an opportunity to excavate, to dig into it and bring out the pearls and the jewels that are important for what He has called you to do. And you discover that on this campus in a way that is very meaningful, and I believe it was part of the foundation that serves me today,” he said.

He credits his professors, especially Dr. Gerald Hasty of the political science department, with showing him that our country needs politicians with strong character. “At that point I can’t pretend I was thinking about going to Congress, but I was thinking about finding ways to serve the country. I always felt like the Lord had given me a promise that if I would do all that I could do with what I had that he would expand it and make it something valuable.”

Keeping it Real

Life in the public eye in Washington, D.C., can be brutal. The pull of power can be enticing. Scott meets with his prayer partner when he is in Charleston. “Having that prayer partner is critically important to staying true,” he said.

“I recently read a book by Tim Keller called Counterfeit Gods,” said Scott. “I believe all men have an idol. It is either the Supreme God, or we are making an idol of something which is less than the Supreme God.”

Scott credits spending time with people, scriptures and prayer with keep him grounded. “Coming home is good too,” he said. “The more time I spend with God, the less I am like myself – which is a good thing.

“It’s so important to have a relationship with Jesus that’s alive,” said Scott. “Your relationship can’t just be what you experienced last week, or last year. I always want to feel my best days of faith are still ahead, that my heart is aching for what makes God’s heart ache. Right now I am more in love with Jesus and desperate for His wisdom and presence than I’ve been in a long time.”

The Mentor

Scott credits the late John Moniz, who owned a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Northwoods Mall, with turning his life around and pointing a directionless high school student toward a life of purpose. These days, Scott serves as a mentor to several people.

He is passionate about helping others realize their potential and is a frequent speaker on the topic.

“We all have the power of influence,” said Scott. Three things shape what we do when we mentor others.

“You have to maximize the purpose – to realize the specific purpose you are called to fulfill,” said Scott. He cites Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” “This doesn’t necessarily mean material prosperity, but it is based on God’s plan for you,” said Scott. “Understanding His purpose allows you to fulfill His plan.”

Scott is a planner, and he wants others to plan as well. “I like to say I’m with the GOP – goals on paper,” Scott joked. “To maximize your experience here on earth, you have to plan.”

Scott stressed that mentors have to understand their potential. “You have to understand God’s purpose to understand your potential,” he said. He likes to use the example of a mother’s purpose. Her purpose isn’t to be a friend to her children, but to parent her children. Over time the relationship changes, but her initial purpose is to parent.

“As you mature, you understand God’s purpose for you more – it leads to more illumination,” he said. “Missing this notion of purpose lets us drift, and we don’t maximize our potential.”

Scott is realistic about the problems facing our government and leaders. “I see the problems of our nation and our survival,” said Scott. “I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, when my life is in His hands, I am safe as I can be.”