On a beautiful Tuesday, my bride, Tina, and I, along with several other pastors and wives from Alabama were treated to a private tour of the Billy Graham library and the Billy Graham Archive and Research Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. (https://billygrahamlibrary.org) I have described it as possibly life-changing, and I mean it.
The staff at the library poured into us for around eight hours, even though the library was closed. We learned about Dr. Graham’s humble beginning, his childhood and early adulthood, and his conversion. The experience focused on how God chose to use one man who was humble, willing, and obedient. Although we learned a lot about Dr. Graham, the entire day pointed toward God.
One of the geekier highlights for me was to see the archives. All of Dr. Graham’s pulpits, sermons, letters, and other memorabilia are carefully stored in a stat-of-the art building with extreme safety and preservation measures. I would LOVE to go research there…and that is permissible. The Archive and Research Center takes reservations for researchers! (Check out the Christmas card to the Grahams from a couple named Elizabeth and Phillip.)
As a minister, I have always admired Billy Graham. It amazed me how he could preach such a simple message and throngs of people would respond. As we learned more and more about Dr. Graham’s personal practices, behavior, and accountability, it became obvious that God used this willing, humble, and obedient vessel as an evangelist, confidant, leader, and counselor to rich, poor, famous, and humble. I have listened to more of his sermons and read more about him since our return a week ago.
Our group toured the library, the childhood home, and even the humble graves of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham. We entered the library at the foot of the cross – a 40-foot glass cross. The Grahams are buried at the foot of a cross-shaped walkway. Each is buried in a $200 casket made by prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. Each has a simple stone marker. George Beverly Shae, Cliff Barrows, and Wilma “Billie” Barrows are buried on the grounds, as well, in simple fashion, as well.
Tears came to my eyes many times throughout the day as I felt convicted. How many times did my attitude of entitlement come to bear in my own ministry since 1987? I felt inspired. Look at how God can choose to use a humble person. I felt humbled that I serve a mighty God who chooses to make Himself known to me and has allowed me to be a part of the Kingdom and be an ambassador of Christ, despite my sins and myself.
If you are a pastor, church leader, or believer in Christ, I wholeheartedly recommend a journey to the Billy Graham Library. Again, I consider it somewhat life-changing. I’m not over it yet…and I hope not to be.
kevingarrett.org 