Billy Graham and the Last Crusade
John Fischer

No, it’s not Indiana Jones; it’s Billy Graham. Indiana Jones could only dream of being a more formidable hero. Indiana is fiction; Mr. Graham is for real and because he was the main figure in God’s calling of me, he will always be my hero. The only fiction for Billy might be the contention that this last weekend in New York was his last crusade. We all know better. The day he stops preaching is the day he dies.

When I was eight years old, I went forward to receive Christ after a Billy Graham film was shown in my church. Not sure which one it was, but in the mid ‘50s, I’m sure there were only a handful of possibilities. The fact that it was a movie shows the incredible power of this man’s mission and his message. I don’t remember any details except for the fact that I was drawn to the front of the church. I’m not sure I knew even what I was doing; I just had to get myself up there. An invisible hand was drawing me there. I wasn’t seeking God; God was seeking me. Billy Graham was the conduit.

It occurs to me that this is what we are, when God uses us in another person’s life. We are conduits for the Holy Spirit to reach someone else. Think of who played that role in your life, and then think of when you’ve had a chance to be that person for someone else. Either way it’s a powerful visitation. You realize you are not doing this; God is.

I don’t think our purpose in life can get any clearer than when we are introducing someone to the Lord. This is when eternity visits time — when God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven — when all other pursuits pale in significance.

And here is a man who has stood at the vortex of that encounter for millions of people over the last 60 years. I can see him standing there, arms folded, eyes piercing the darkness, with the ability to see into the souls of so many with the eyes of the Spirit of God.

He will be the first to say that it wasn’t him. Never was. Nor will it be for you or me. It’s the Lord among us. No wonder it’s so exciting.

They say that this was his last crusade but I highly doubt that. If he can still say one word, it would be enough. He could say, “Come,” and they would do just that. They’ve been coming for 60 years, why stop now?

PDL