'Someday you will hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.'
These were the words of the late evangelist Billy Graham, who died last February 21 at the age of 99. Billy Graham was perhaps the most significant religious figure of the 21st century, and his ministry still continue to impact the world today.
During his lifetime, Billy Graham preached to millions of people in live audiences, in 185 countries, and millions more through radio and television broadcasts. He preached the gospel to more persons than any other preacher in history. He was dubbed 'America's Pastor', providing spiritual counsel to many US presidents.
He became the confidant of popes and presidents, and other influential people, and yet the people who met him say that he was a very humble man. None of the accolades and titles he received puffed him up, and he remained true to his calling, that is to preach the gospel to everyone.
He was not without criticisms though. He was also labeled different names, but that did not derail him from his calling. All throughout his 99 years of life, he remained a faithful servant of God.
Born in 1918 in North Carolina, no one could have imagined what was in store for this man. But as he gave his life to the Lord, as he allowed Him to take over and guide and use him, he was able to do what he did, until the very end. The scope of his influence and ministry is worldwide, having touched millions of people.
His message was simple enough- believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. A tribute from ex-President George W Bush recounts a time when he invited Billy Graham to the family estate in Maine and as they were walking together and talked, the topic of the bible came up, and the ex-president said that reading the bible daily might help make him a better person. He then recounted that Billy Graham told him about one of the bible's most fundamental lessons: One should strive to be better, but we're all sinners who earn God's love not through our good deeds, but through God's grace.
He was indeed God's ambassador, and I believe he was able to touch and influence the lives of so many people because of his commitment to follow the call of God upon his life. He was able to invite millions of people to receive and follow Christ, because he himself was a follower of Christ. He was anointed by God, because he yielded himself to God.
When someone gives their life to a divine calling, amazing things happen. That is the legacy of Billy Graham, and I believe he will be remembered as such.
What about us? What kind of legacy are we leaving behind to the next generation? To our children, to our grandchildren, and the generations to come? How will the next generation remember us?
Last Sunday in church, we had a guest speaker, although we hardly call him a guest as he often visits, so he's more like family already. He has a ministry that supports underprivileged children and their families, because he, as a young boy, was left behind at a garbage dump by his mother.
A Christian man, who was himself poor and had children of his own, had compassion on the little boy and picked him up, clothed and fed him, and, at one time, had to borrow seventeen dollars just so that boy can go to a bible summer camp. That boy, at that summer camp, heard about Jesus, asked Him to be Lord of his life, and never turned back.
Growing up, he wanted to do the same thing that was done to him to other children who are in desperate need. He wanted to impart hope, just as hope was imparted to him. He wanted to give love, just how he was loved by the man who picked him up from the garbage dump.
He travels around the world, and just a few months ago, he was in Syria, where people are dying almost everyday because of the war going on there. In a few months, he said he's going to Afghanistan to minister there. And this guy is old, by the way. So, if someone like him, who is already past retirement age, still does what he does, because of compassion, what about us?
I was inspired to do something. In life, we are given choices. And last Sunday I had the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. I committed myself to sponsor a child, to give financially for a year. The amount is not much, 700 pesos monthly. If I go and eat buffet at a nice restaurant, it would cost almost the same.
But to this 5 year old girl that I have committed to sponsor, it will make such a big difference. It will help her get through school, it will help buy their basic necessities, somewhat. And as I looked at her picture, I thanked God- that I could help out, that I could make a difference in her life. And I pray, someday, she will become successful, and that she will also do it to others.
You see, we may not be as popular as the Billy Grahams of this world, we may not travel as missionaries, we may not be preachers, but each one of us can make a difference in someone's life. We have our own sphere of influence. There are people around us we can minister to- even just by showing unexpected kindness.
Whatever it may be, we are able to make an impact. One at a time, we can try to change the world and make it a better place. The point is, we have to start somewhere, and the best place to do so can start in our homes, our family, then it extends to our extended families, friends, then community, until we see change. One thing at a time, one day at a time. Until we see it come to pass. Someday. I pray. And that is gonna be our very own legacy.
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