Today, one of the greatest modern evangelists has passed from this life into eternity with our Heavenly Father. Only God knows how many people Billy Graham helped to know Jesus over his 99 years on Earth, and I can say with certainty that he is one of the people I’ll be so glad to meet in Heaven some day and thank for all his work!!
As I reflected on the news of his passing this morning, I immediately went to look up some of his most well-known quotes and found so many that have to do with life, death, and the hope of Heaven.
Here are the ones that really stood out to me:
“My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”
“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”
“When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice. Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“I am not going to Heaven because I have preached to great crowds or read the Bible many times. I’m going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: ‘Lord, remember me.'”
“I don’t need a successor, only willing hands to accept the torch for a new generation.”
“I look forward to death with great anticipation, to meeting God face to face.”
“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you 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.”
“I haven’t written my own epitaph, and I’m not sure I should. Whatever it is, I hope it will be simple, and that it will point people not to me, but to the One I served.”
Billy Graham was an amazing man who believed in a far more amazing God, and he knew his purpose in life was to show and tell others about his amazing God. He was and still is an inspiration to all of us in ministry. He will be remembered as a faithful servant of Christ, and I can’t wait to see him in Heaven!!
Steve Cullum 