As we live our lives out day by day, we "encounter various trials" (Ja. 1:2b). And from these trials and according to the Bible, "the testing of our faith produces endurance" (Ja. 1:3). Is this true in your life? If you believe that your faith is producing endurance then are you able to answer the above question..."Who are you & where are you going"?
At the time of this illustrative article, Billy Graham was 86 years old with Parkinson's disease.
In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you. So he agreed. After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it. Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one. Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.' Having said that Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. I want you to remember this; I not only know who I am ... I also know where I'm going. May your troubles be less, your blessings more and may nothing but happiness, come through your door." (copied for illustrative purposes)
The Bible tells us that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Ro. 3:23). It goes on to inform us in Romans 6:23 that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In the 3rd chapter of The Gospel of John we are told that "...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." And then in the book of Romans, once again we are told that "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved..." (Ro. 10:9)
So back to the subject of this blog. Do you, based on these scriptures, have the boldness and confidence to know "Who You Are (in Christ Jesus) and Where You Are Going? Billy Graham was able to confess that he not only knew who he was, but he also knew where he was going (and it wasn't on a train).
I know who I am (a child of the King) and I also know where I am going (to be in everlasting worship with my Father in Heaven someday). My hope is that you, having produced endurence in your trials can say the same thing as Mr. Billy Graham..."I not only know who I am ... I also know where I'm going."
Dave
