Grow Where You’ve Been Planted

Over the past week, two Christian examples in my life passed away. The first was my Aunt Katherine. She was the oldest sister of 11 children, a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, Sunday School teacher, choir director, and sweet soul that was 86 years young. I always admired her knowledge of the Bible and her strong faith in any circumstance that came her way. On New Year’s Eve some of my family and I visited with her in the hospital. She did not speak coherently, as most battling Alzheimer’s suffer through, but while engaging her in conversation, she stated these words as clearly as ever, “God has been so good to me!” Where her mind and ability to communicate wants and needs were failing her, her ability to praise the Lord was still as clear as the noonday sun that Sunday. She passed away just a week ago and I know without a doubt she is praising the Lord clearly and beautifully in the sweet presence of her God and Savior.

The other influential Christian example that passed this past week was Reverend Billy Graham or “Billy” as he liked to be called. I, like many, had witnessed Billy Graham’s passion for spreading the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to hundreds of millions of people throughout his 99 years of life. Back in 1994, my family and I went to see Billy Graham in what ended up being his last crusade through Atlanta. It was at the Dome and I had just turned 12 years old. I grew up in a small town in a small Christian church so going to a huge arena to see a man speak about Jesus was a new experience for me. I remember his conviction, his tone, his grace, and his gift of communicating the gospel for anyone, even the young, to understand. At the end of his message he asked those that decided to make a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ to come down to the floor of the Dome for prayer. I was moved by the hundreds of people that were boldly proclaiming their faith.

As individuals were walking down the flights of stairs, singing and crying, there was an individual that decided to protest at the event. In the current times we are in, it’s what we would call a “troll,” however, this was a 90’s in-person version. I remember being a little startled that someone would be such a negative force in what was happening among the people. But what amazed me even more was how unstartled Billy was. He continued with the same posture, same welcoming call, and same kind smile. I pray to be as strong when negativity comes towards me for my faith in the gospel.

When looking at my Aunt Katherine and Billy Graham’s influence, some may think that because a traveling evangelist reached more people, he may have had more impact. But I dare say, and know they would both agree, that both Christian examples were just as impactful in the sphere of influence that the Lord saw each of them to have. He planted and nurtured them in the exact place and with the exact opportunities they both needed to use their gifts and to spread the good news of the gospel. Whether it was to a small room of children or a large arena, they nurtured and grew their influence where God had planted them.

I pray that you become even more aware of your influence! Are you in a position to speak from a stage in front of thousands? Are you a community group leader or Sunday School teacher? Maybe you are a high school student and have 20 followers on Twitter. No matter the size of your sphere of influence, we are all called to spread the love and saving grace of Christ in the place and season of life He has us in. And in the end, when our souls rise to be with our Heavenly Father for all eternity, our physical bodies will go back into the ground. It’s then that the influence we had, the seeds that were planted by God’s grace while we were growing spiritually here on Earth will, hopefully, continue to grow from generation to generation for His glory!

Keep up the good fight! And may we all strive to hear those sweet words when we reach the pearly gates of Heaven,

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” 

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