Billy Graham died today.

Learning that on my way to work this morning didn’t make me sad. He lived a long life on earth, and I’m confident that he is rejoicing with Christ today. However, it did lead me to think a bit about evangelism and about cultural icons.

Billy Graham wasn’t perfect. He made mistakes. He acknowledged that he made mistakes. He was still mightily used by God to bring a message of revival and repentance to a nation full of what one book I am reading calls “secular Christians” and later to the world.

I tend to think of Billy Graham as an evangelist, but I believe it’s important to remember that he was more than that. His call was not only to repentance, but also to discipleship. One quote from his devotions is: “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” He preached on such issues, not just about our need for Christ.

He also preached on subjects like racism, pointing out that the Bible has no basis for segregation, but that all are in equal need of the cross and have equal welcome there. He pointed out many of the inconsistencies of Christians when we get hung up on sins such as homosexuality and make them somehow more important than other sins such as pride and jealousy.

And yet, the man was a man, with the imperfections we all possess. So what should we learn from looking back at the life of one of the visible men of God in the past century?

I am reminded that to be “after God’s own heart” is not a description of perfection but rather of love and commitment. I believe that Billy Graham was a man after God’s own heart. But I read Psalm 51 this morning, which is a strong reminder that repentance, love of God, and commitment are the keys to that moniker, not a perfection which none of us can achieve on earth.

I’m also reminded that the key to a Christian life is that daily commitment to Christ and a focus on God. God–not a pastor, a teacher, a friend, a mentor, but God–must be the center and focus of my life. Anyone else will fall short as a role model. Jesus is the only perfect example, and other Christians are valuable role models only as they point me toward him.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Photo by Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE on Unsplash

The snow is melting! The temperature in Central Illinois is in the mid-forties today, and there is much rejoicing. I was in a conversation this afternoon in which someone commented on how different 40 degrees is in February as compared to October. In October, we dread such a low a temperature and dress for winter. In February, we leave our gloves off and our coats unbuttoned and talk about how delightfully warm it is. The reason for such different reactions is not hard to find: it’s all a matter of what we’re used to.

Humans have a tendency to adjust to our environments. And that’s a good thing, at least in some respects. If we didn’t adjust to the prevailing temperatures to a certain extent, humans would not fare well in many of the places where we live happily. I’m not sure I’ll ever be happy about temps in the 20s and below, but I’m glad that I adjust enough to be comfortable with temps in the 30s.

However, we often adjust to our environment in ways that are less positive. One of my flaws as a housekeeper is that I have learned to adjust to any surroundings. I can put on my mother’s eyes and see the mess and be horrified, but I’m normally adjusted to living with a level of clutter that I probably shouldn’t tolerate.

I have also found that I have adjusted to the language around me in a way that I often wish I hadn’t. In my childhood, adolescence, and really on in to my twenties, I was rarely exposed to “bad” language (cursing, taking the Lord’s name in vain, really any kind of vulgarity). As a result, I tended to be very sensitive to hearing language of that sort, often physically flinching when I heard it. It certainly never entered my mind. As an adult working on a public university campus in the 21st century, that is no longer my environment. It’s a rare day when I am not exposed to language that would once have bothered me greatly (despite having a position where people usually try to avoid using offensive language to me). As a result, I don’t react nearly as strongly to the utterances, and I do find them occasionally entering my thoughts, even though I still don’t allow them to cross my lips.

The Bible speaks to this. Proverbs has a great deal to say about who you spend your time with, encouraging us to avoid fools, those who are bitter, and those who would tempt us sexually, among other. Paul takes a more positive approach in his letter to the Philippians: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” Philippians 4:8 (ESV).

What are you adjusted to? In my job, I can’t keep those around me from using language I don’t like, but I can surround myself with friends who focus on better things. I can listen to music and read books that lift me up rather than tearing me down. What can you do?