This past week America said goodbye to an era, lost a legend, and gave up a saint.
Billy Graham. The name is filled with meaning for many Americans born before the turn of the century. Regardless of whether you are familiar with the ministry of Billy Graham, whether you agree with his beliefs, or even whether you are an American, his work and presence in and around the world over the last century has likely had an impact on your life in some way.
His name is one that summons vivid memories and strong emotions for many. For me, Billy Graham stirs a part of my childhood. I remember sitting on the floor in the living room and watching a man on TV (often shouting in my little, yet humble, opinion), hearing a voice (oh that voice), and watching more people than I had ever seen or could imagine gathered together crying, laughing, and embracing over things I could not yet understand. I remember my parents crying during his televised rallies and I remember crying because my parents were crying. So revered was his name in my little world that I remember, when told that I shook his hand as a toddler, wondering if I had perhaps received a special power in my appendage!
My earliest memories of the Super Bowl are similar. Seeing people get excited, but not understanding why and seeing people grow emotional about things I did not comprehend. While football is a religious experience for many, I want to recognize the specifically spiritual life and legacy of Billy Graham.
While Billy Graham did not impact me directly, it was largely because of him that my father came to know Christ in a prison cell in eastern New York. It is because of Billy Graham that many children today have been given a spiritual heritage, and it is because of Billy Graham that many of our students here at Veritas are blessed to live and thrive in families and communities of faith.
The goal here is not to idolize, sensationalize or promote Billy Graham. But, I do want to recognize that few others have had a broader or more global impact on the world for Jesus Christ in the last century. With a deep, resonating, and simple call to love and follow Jesus, his life and legacy are, in several important ways, things that we all can desire for our children and something we desire for the graduates of Veritas Academy.
Here are three ways in particular we want our students to follow the example of Billy Graham:
Students of Integrity
First, we want our students to be men and women of integrity. In a time when being famous all too often means equating oneself with scandal, we can look back at the life of Billy Graham and see a man - though certainly not perfect - committed to his God, his family, and his country.
We seek to cultivate students of integrity at Veritas, integrity that will be grown, tested, examined, and perhaps even bruised while developing as students, but that will eventually lead to lives of strong character, commitment, and strength.
Students Who Are Clear in Their Purpose
Second, we want our students to know who they are and why they exist. Veritas is blessed to have students from all different backgrounds who have been given unique gifts and skills. Billy Graham, for the 99 years that he walked this earth, knew his call. He was clear in his purpose and seemingly unconquerable in his pursuit of it. It is our hope that Veritas students will grow to know who they are and relinquish to no one in their lifelong pursuit of achieving their purpose.
Students With Fullness of Life
Third, we want our students to live full lives. In a time when education, careers, relationships, and lives are so focused and isolated on one particular thing - whether it be sports, technology, academics, etc. - we want our students to know the depth of a full, robust, well-rounded and multi-dimensional life.
Billy Graham embodies the “full life” more than most, as even on his 99th birthday he was enjoying his family, carrying out his mission, studying God’s Word, and serving others. He did all of this while continually giving all glory to God and seeking to bless others. This, perhaps more than anything, marks the hope for a Veritas student. We desire for our students to lead “full lives” not for the purpose of self-gratification or exaltation but rather for the betterment of others and the glory of God.
While fully recognizing his humanity, fallen nature, and personal need for Christ’s atonement just like us all, Billy Graham is a person to whom we can aspire in many ways. His integrity, fullness of life, and clear purpose are things that we can hope for our children. We can all learn from this man, who has in some way influenced all of our lives, and seek to come together as a community to cultivate our children towards Christ in a time of great cultural challenge.
Are you concerned that your child's education does not produce the type of well-rounded, godly character that you hope for them? Join us for a free lecture by renowned author, theologian, and Westminster Theological seminary professor Carl Trueman on Thursday, March 8 to discuss how learning and teaching can - and should - be joyful for both the student and teacher. Whether you're in public school or considering private school, you're welcome to join us! Click the link below to RSVP.
