Billy Graham is an evangelist, respected and admired by people all over the world. One thing he is known for is his integrity. He has been faithful in his personal life and ministry concerning matters of finance, morality, and any type of integrity issue. Billy Graham has been diligent to be a man of Christian character, and is known and respected as such.
HE STILL HAS SOMETHING TO SAY
On his 98th birthday, Billy Graham said these words,
Old age is Satan’s last chance to blow us off course.
How wonderfully perceptive this statement is, and how important the ramifications for us to consider. At 98, Billy Graham is all too aware of the struggles of aging. He has Parkinson’s disease, and has been in and out of the hospital several times in the past few years. He knows how easy it is to be “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
THE FINISH LINE
It is evident that Billy Graham realizes the importance of the finish line. He knows Satan will use the impacts of old age and infirmities to turn a Christian into a sour, bitter, and despondent person, and he knows the value of a life lived for Jesus to the very last day. He has lived well and served well. At 98 years old, he is also determined to finish well for the glory of God.
PLAN AHEAD
We cannot decide to finish well just when finish line is within sight. Finishing well is something that should be on our minds from the beginning of our Christian walk, and become a more prominent goal with each passing year. Many have started well, but not all have finished well. How glorious it is to sprint to the finish line and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
To finish well, it is crucial to maintain integrity, passion, and spiritual growth. Never stop growing in your intimacy with God, never cease to be an accountable and transparent person of integrity, and never lose your passion to be used by God. At 98 years of age, Billy Graham’s physical body is weak and home bound, but he is sprinting toward the finish line! He is still aware of the battle, and still fighting the good fight. Let’s begin to prepare today so we may too finish well.