Billy Graham Couldn’t Swim
When the US Olympic swim coaches were looking for candidates to represent the country in some of the most exciting and important swim matches in the world, they didn’t look to Billy Graham. Honestly, he probably never entered their mind. Cruel? I think not.
Billy Graham was no Michael Phelps, no Dara Torres. What Billy Graham was good at was making the Gospel easily understood so people could plainly see God and take a step into his love and grace.
YES YES. NO NO.
Billy Graham responded to the call of God. He remained close to the heartbeat of his Savior. So he was able to stick with what he was gifted and called to do. Can you imagine a world if he had ignored the call and trained as a swimmer? Nothing against swimmers – just swimmers who were meant to be something else.
Billy Graham kept his yes, yes and his no, no. Being all things to all people means being less things to most people. Why not be what God meant you to be and do what he calls you to do. If that means changing the course for eternity in a few lives, so?
And if you don’t yet know who God wants you to be or what God wants you to do, here’s a suggested next step: Get to know God. In the process of Getting to know him, you will see more clearly what he wants.
This week we are talking about our relationship with Christ as one of the key components of Strongology. To carry on the discussion, finish this:
This story reminds me of one I heard from J.I. Packer. When he was a boy, he begged his parents for a bicycle for his birthday. They gave him a typewriter. Guess which one served him better in the long run?
Megan Willome recently posted..Lents I Have Known: 2
That’s a great story! Thanks for adding to the value of the discussion, Megan.
We will live a much more fulfilled life if we be the person that God created us to be instead of being what we think others want us to be.
Kevin Martineau recently posted..Be-living the Gospel
Kevin, I wonder why is so hard for us to remember. We (at least I) seem to be so obsessed with how we look to others.
Really like these words- they are so true and powerful- “Being all things to all people means being less things to most people.”
Christ is FOR me today (and everyday)!
TC Avey recently posted..Is Life RAINING on you or are you REIGNING in Life?
For many of us, church leaders, here in Kazakhstan it’s really hard to confront to our parents and relatives which want us to work somewhere in the world and have more salary. (And also because many of them are non-christians they are very resistant to our choice). But even inside of the church not so easy for people to find where to serve because so often they look …well… not as Billy Graham). And the truth is that for me also it’s an everyday’s decision what I should do and what I shouldn’t.
Scott, I agree with you in your suggested step: get to know God. And thanks again for your ministry.
One thing I know for sure, Christ is my Strength and my Hope to me today.
You are an inspiration to us all, Tanya. Keep the faith and stay strong for Christ. I’m reminded that a person cannot stay strong unless there is a daily connection with Christ. Thank you for coming into the discussion and sharing.
As the song lyrics say “You (Christ) are my all in all”
Right on, Gene.
I’ve tried to be something that I’m not and can tell you the disappointment and failure that ensued. We’re made by God to excel in certain areas. When we’re completely in synch with what that is, then peace will also follow. I’m glad that Billy Graham is still with us and that he is still trusting in Jesus.
Matt Keegan recently posted..Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well
Yeah, I hear you, Matt. Life is fluid sometimes and it makes it hard some days to tell if sync is sync or if sync is fake. But keep the faith.