Billy Graham.
November 7th, 1918 — February 21,2018
I remember reading his autobiography … reading about the way he lived: his humility and the way that, no matter how many people were in the crowds he spoke to, he remained humble. He knew that he was representing and living for a Holy God. Billy remembered who he was and made much of the amazing Savior he served. His life was about Jesus. So simple, yet what power there is in taking Jesus at His Word, loving Him, relying on the Holy Spirit, & loving others.
While I hear stories of people making shipwreck of their faith; I think of Billy Graham. I think of his faithfulness and the example of his life, the boundaries he put in place to keep himself accountable and pure. The way he served others and sacrificed what others take for granted, to preach, serve people and bring them the Good News. What others would view as a desired, glamorous life of prominence and influence comes with the reality of temptation that is more than what most men can endure.
I think about the cost his family paid for him to preach… how often he traveled and was away…
I think about him and Ruth…the letters they wrote to each other and the strain they must’ve felt at times being away from each other, yet how it seemed to only strengthen their commitment and faithfulness to what God had called them to.
I think about the way Ruth prayed for Billy and served her family while standing strong in the Lord. What an amazing example. She knew who she was in Christ and because of that she was able to love her children and husband free of expectations.
What speaks loudest is not what one does when they are in front of crowds or influential people but who they are when they are alone. Billy knew that one day he would stand alone before God & the same is true of me.
When a person is alone or at home with their family that the place where you see who they truly are. And it is the place that most challenging: because that is where character is built. The truest test of a person is who they are when they leave the stage and the people are gone. Who am I then? That is the real me. For Billy: it was real, his family & legacy is a testament to that. He counted anything that the world has to offer as incomparable with the gift of walking with Jesus & being a trophy of His grace. He cast aside anything that would’ve marred his example & testimony or could’ve distracted people from receiving the gospel. He subjected himself to a higher standard, the one that-honestly-every Christian is called to, to be an example.
And look what God did with a man who devoted himself to the truth of the Good News and living it out.
I am reminded that Billy was a man, human. Just like me. Just like you. What set His life apart was the God whom He served with utter abandon. And God is still the same: looking for people to take Him at His word & follow Him. And it causes me to ask myself: am I willing to sacrifice & risk it all to serve my God who has already promised to care for me, give me the words, and guide me? Do I believe Him?
Billy did.
…And look at what God accomplished through his life.
“I asked Mother how she endured so many years of goodbyes. She quoted a mountain-man who said, ‘Make the least of all that goes and the most of all that comes.’” – Gigi Graham, daughter
“It is a foolish woman who expects her husband to be to her that which only Jesus Christ Himself can be: always ready to forgive, totally understanding, unendingly patient, invariably tender and loving, unfailing in every area, anticipating every need, and making more than adequate provision. Such expectations put a man under an impossible strain” – Ruth Bell Graham
“As I grew older I realized that my parent’s love for one another was deeper than just the look in their eyes each time one of them came into the room. Their love was based on more than their physical and emotional attraction. It was based on solid, uncompromising commitment—first to Jesus Christ, second to the institution of marriage, and then commitment to each other.” – Gigi Graham, daughter