Faithful
Servant
By Karen D’Amore
His Lord said
to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”
Matthew 25:23a (NKJV)
On February 21, 2018, news and
social media venues flooded the airways with headlines announcing the death of
evangelist Billy Graham. In a recent interview with the Gaston Gazette, Billy had
pre-approved his final “My Answer” column for publication after his passing. In
that interview, when asked how he wanted to be remembered, he responded:
“I hope I will be remembered as
someone who was faithful - - faithful to God, faithful to the gospel of Jesus
Christ and faithful to the calling God gave me, not only as an evangelist…but
as a husband, a father and friend.” [1]
After leaving this Earth for his new
heavenly home, Billy’s legacy continues to reverberate throughout the
nation…and quite possibly the entire world. It is evident by the outpouring of
testimonials from the multitudes he touched. Remembered as one of the most
inspirational spiritual leaders in the 20th century, both his
reputation and his message have always deeply affected me. And in company with
the millions he touched, I too was profoundly impacted by the news of his
death.
In 1934, Billy Graham’s father
allowed a group of Charlotte businessmen to use a portion of the family’s dairy
farm to gather for a day of prayer. Those men prayed that, out of Charlotte,
the Lord would raise up someone to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. Proclaiming
that he was chosen by God to be an evangelist, Billy responded by telling God,
“I’ll be what you want me to be and do what you want me to do.” [2]
Billy spent seven decades preaching
the Good News, traveling to 185 countries and reaching over 200 million people
worldwide. His greatest accomplishment was the millions of people who responded
to his message of the cross and accepted Christ. His impact on the world cannot
be measured!
A biblical definition of servant is “…one who is distinguished as
obedient and faithful to God.” [3] True servants are committed, trustworthy,
dependable, promisekeepers, task finishers, responsibility-fulfillers…and
faithful to their ministry. Billy Graham embodied the attributes of a faithful servant.
He was called by God to preach the gospel and he never tired or retired from
living that call!
Now, I picture Billy shouting from heaven,
“Make a decision for Christ!”
And he is accompanied by a heavenly choir
singing, “Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me…O
Lamb of God, I come…I come.”
“Be faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10)!
GOING
DEEPER:
- How are you living faithfully to God’s call?
FURTHER
READING:
Proverbs 20:6; 2 Chronicles 16:9
Proverbs 20:6; 2 Chronicles 16:9
Married to Dan, Karen, a retired
police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and as an
instructor in the Cosmetology Department at WCTC. Karen also serves on the
Welcoming Team at Oakwood.
