Just as I Am

‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believed in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’.  John 3:16

Billy Graham’s son, Franklin, said at his fathers funeral, that Billy used that verse in every single one of his sermons. That was the foundation and inspiration of Billy Grahams ministry.

I watched a live stream of the funeral of this mighty man of God several times yesterday. And I actually witnessed President Trump smile and laugh several times during the service. He comes across as quite approachable and unscary when he smiles at a funeral endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. Those 2300 invited dignitaries and guests were standing on holy ground in Charlotte, North Carolina yesterday afternoon (and enjoying much better weather than we were, I might add).

The first 30 minutes of beautiful piano music, played by a very talented older gentleman, set the tone for the afternoon. He played a long medley of all the most loved hymns I’ve ever had the joy of singing and humming. I was actually surprised he had the stamina to play that long. He never missed a beat. (Pun intended). I’m not sure if that was planned or if it was just taking the dignitaries and family that long to arrive and compose themselves. I imagined him having a long list of hymns set on the piano with instructions to just keep playing until everyone that was supposed to be there had arrived. It was telling to watch the expressions and whispering of the guests while cameras scanned the crowd during this interlude. I actually spotted someone I knew from Calgary at the service as the television cameras scanned the crowd. I was jealous.

Billy’s family spoke so well. They all clearly have the gift and love of the Lord. They spoke well by oratory standards but also spoke well in regards to content. I was mesmerized. I was riveted to the screen of my iPad. I sensed in my spirit this was a significant milestone in God’s plan for the planet. Billy Graham was most definitely a modern day prophet or disciple. If the Bible writings continued into our era Billy Graham would have been a lead character in them. Future generations would read about Billy the way we read about Moses or Daniel or Paul. I’m sure of it.

I loved how Billy’s sister, Jean, quipped about having the home they grew up in right there in front of them during the funeral. She also mentioned how much he was loved by everyone in attendance but how she had loved him the longest as his last surviving sibling. I was inspired by the poem that Gigi, his eldest daughter (I mean the one he loved the longest) read, written by her mother at 13 in regards to finding a man like Billy. Anne’s prophetic reference to Moses and Joshua was spine tingling. Likening her dad to Moses and his role of delivering people from slavery. After Moses, Joshua, which means Jesus. Implying Jesus’ coming may be our next marker in history. Ruth’s vulnerability was poignant and raw and spoke of her fathers resemblance to our Lord. Ned’s humor was timely and refreshing. Then, Franklin. The most powerful words from his mouth, in my opinion, were these: if this were your funeral, would you be in heaven? If that statement didn’t make everyone think seriously about their eternal destiny, I’m not sure what would. If I weren’t already a believer, I would have been after considering that statement.

I thought everyone in the world had heard of Billy Graham but Mike mentioned at work that Billy Graham had passed away and his receptionist said, “Whose that?”  In all fairness, there are famous singing groups all over the world that I have never heard of because that type of  thing just isn’t on my radar.  I guess Billy Graham wasn’t on hers.

I never had the privilege of being at one of Billy Grahams crusades. My mom used to always watch them on TV, often suggesting that we listen in as well. If Billy Graham was on one channel and Hockey night in Canada was on the other, then she forewarned my dad that we would be watching Billy Graham. Because in those days we only had one TV and two channels. I can remember, at times, finding it quite boring in its simplicity.  Billy Graham was not a sensationalist.  And it’s true, he always had a Bible in his hand even if he wasn’t looking at it. The message was always the same. Jesus loves you and died for your sins and wants you to have eternal life. Would you like to give your heart to him tonight? Then ‘Just as I Am’  would be sung. Now, I want to give my heart to the Lord every time I hear that song.

Just as I am. That’s what it’s all about folks. As Billy’s daughter, Ruth, testified, Just as I am. We don’t have to pretty ourselves up for God. He loves us just as we are, warts and sins and selfishness and all. Billy Grahams message was simple. He didn’t bury it in a sea of theology. Anyone could understand it. Anyone could come. Anyone could believe. And millions did.