NOT DEFEND MYSELF?!

"His dependence on God also allowed him to remain calm even when criticized. Graham once noted in his diary that his greatest victory was that his Lord had given him the strength not to defend himself but to pray for those who criticized him unjustly. He usually felt a deep peace as a result."
Hanspeter Nuesch
Ruth and Billy Graham   p. 98


Not defend myself?! I can't even imagine. In fact, I've warned my husband and a couple friends whose opinions I greatly value: "I WILL defend myself. BUT given a little time, I'll think about what you've said and likely change my actions/behavior."

Even as I write this, I've been criticized--unjustly. I did defend myself. And I'm still defending myself--in my mind. I am NOT experiencing the peace that Billy experiences. Because I haven't turned it over to God. I haven't prayed for that person.

But it's not too late. I'll start TODAY.  

Ruth and Billy very intentionally refrained from participating in the criticism of spiritual brothers and sisters. Ruth felt that "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest believer upon his knees but that he laughs without restraint when saints bash other saints." 

The Graham's response to attacks, toward them, was to turn the matter over to God and go about the ministry God had called them to.

We've heard it said that "we" are the only Bible some people will read. In reading this incredible book by Hanspeter Nuesch, I'm getting a real sense of what that looks like. Millions have been blessed by the ministry of the whole Graham family; but I suspect the greater blessing might be in the way they lived their lives behind the mininstry.

I expect to spend a couple or few blogs with the Grahams. I've so much to learn from them. And what I write about, I remember.

As I close today's blog,  I remind myself that I cannot live this Christian life in my own power. I was never meant to. I am created to be . . .

Utterly Dependent on Him Who Is  Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie