Just As I Am

We lost one of the most famed evangelist the world has ever known this week.

Billy Graham passed on Wednesday at the age of 99 and we lost a spiritual beacon.

In this world of school shootings and extreme political divisiveness we can’t stand to lose these types of individuals.

I always enjoyed listening to and reading Graham and have many of his books in my library.

He was an example on how to be politically involved but not too controversial.

I’m sure everyone has an opinion on whether he avoided controversy in the political arena or not.

I just believed he was able to walk that thin line of spiritual advisor without too many mishaps.

In 2005 Graham was quoted as stating, “I’m just going to preach the gospel and am not going to get off on all these hot-button issues. I’m just promoting the gospel.”

The Los Angeles Times reported, Graham knew twelve presidents and in his prime was a fixture at the White House. He spent the last weekend of the Lyndon Johnson presidency there and was the first overnight guest of Richard Nixon after he was sworn into office.

I’ve read quite a few articles on Billy Graham since his passing and have been reminded of many of his quotes.

A few favorites follow.

On Money: “There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men.”

On Hardship: “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”

On Judging Others: “It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and my job to love.”

On Jesus: “Many people are willing to have Jesus as part of their lives, as long as it doesn’t cost them anything. They may even profess faith in Jesus and join a church. But Jesus to them is almost like an insurance policy. Something they obtain and then forget about until they die.”

That’s good stuff.

I have many memories of watching Graham throughout the years.

His interviews and of course his crusades with thousands in attendance.

Perhaps my favorite memory of Graham and his crusades is of the invitation call.

To listen to George Beverly Shea sing Just As I Am in that booming voice of his and watching the crowds come forward to heed the call.

I love the lyrics.

Just as I am, without one plea.

But that Thy blood was shed for me.

And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

There was nothing quite like it and I doubt if we’ll see anything remotely close to that profound spiritual awakening for so many on television again.

Graham’s casket will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol for two days next week.

A fitting tribute to a man who helped guide our nation spiritually with a moral compass.

Graham was asked many times what his favorite verse was from the bible and his answer changed throughout his lifetime.

Perhaps Mark 16:15 would fit him best.

Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

He certainly did that.

He was indeed a spiritual beacon in these troubled times. Of hope he said this, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.”

Amen.

See you out there.