A friend posted this story about one of my favorite Christian heroes, Billy Graham, and I want to share it with you.
One month before his 93rd birthday, Billy received an invitation to be the guest of honor at a luncheon sponsored by a group in Charlotte, North Carolina. Billy hesitated at first because he was struggling with Parkinson’s disease. The leader assured him they were not expecting a great oration; they just wanted to honor him as Charlotte’s favorite son, so he accepted the invitation.
After so many wonderful things were said about him, Billy Graham stepped to the podium using his walker and after a standing ovation he began to speak. “On this occasion, I’m reminded of the great physicist, Albert Einstein, who has just been named Life Magazine’s Man of the Century. He was on a train from Princeton and as the conductor came down the aisle punching everyone’s ticket. Dr. Einstein reached in his vest pocket but his ticket wasn’t there. He checked his trouser pockets, his briefcase and the seat beside him but there was no ticket. The conductor recognized him and said he was sure he had purchased a ticket. When the conductor was ready to move on to the next car, he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein on his hands and knees looking under his seat. He rushed back and told him not to worry about it. “It’s OK, I know who you are.” Dr. Einstein replied, “I too know who I am, young man. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”
“See this new suit that I’m wearing? I used to try to dress stylish, but my children and grandchildren tell me I’ve become slovenly in my old age, so I bought this new suit for this occasion and one other one. That other occasion is when I am buried. On that occasion, I will not only know who I am as a child of God, but also where I am going.”
In one of his sermons, I heard Billy say, “Someday you will hear that Billy Graham has died. Don’t believe it! I will be more alive then than I ever have been.” He not only knew his final destination, he led millions of others to join him on that trip.
My dear Christian reader, Jesus Christ has bought your ticket to heaven at a cost you and I could never afford and put us on the right track. You won’t need to present that ticket. Your heavenly Father will recognize you by the blood of Jesus on the door post of your heart and the fruit of His Holy Spirit within you. .
We know who we are in the sight of God regardless of what others might say about us – good or bad. We also know our final destination without checking our ticket or asking someone. Praise God for His mercy, grace and love!