Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well

by Billy Graham

“He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14 NKJV); and to those who are repentant He says, “Their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34 NKJV). I am so glad I can remember that promise. Because I have repented of my sin, God chooses to forget my sin.

The point is this: as an old man Barzillai couldn’t do everything he once did—but he did what he could, and God used his efforts. The same can be true of us as we grow older.

The first is this: old age may have its limitations and challenges, but in spite of them our latter years can be some of the most rewarding and fulfilling of our lives.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In God’s eyes every legitimate work has dignity and importance,

when we allow our work to dominate and control us, then it has become an idol to us—and that is wrong.

find a way to use your uncomfortable situation to point others to Him.

No matter who we are, retirement presents us with two choices. Either we can use it to indulge ourselves, or we can use it to make an impact on the lives of others. In other words, the choice we face is between empty self-indulgence and meaningful activity.

Pray about it, seek wisdom from others, search God’s Word for direction, and trust Him to guide you.

“I thought my life was over when I was forced to retire because of back trouble. I never dreamed that God would allow me to help people with greater problems than mine by going and praying with them and for them.

you can still be a productive servant of Jesus Christ by filling your mind with the knowledge of Jesus Christ and, as Peter did, impacting those around you with hope:

Scripture teaches that virtues such as wisdom, knowledge, reputation, and faith are valued more than gold:

No matter how little or how much you have in the way of financial resources, God has given them to you, and He wants you to be a faithful steward or trustee of them. See your money as a God-given responsibility, not as something you are free to use (or misuse) as you please.

More than anything else, let them know where you stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, for this will be your lasting legacy.

as we wait for the reunion with our Savior, let’s recall God’s will for us: “Be joyful always; . . . give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, emphasis added).

We shouldn’t spend time thinking about ourselves and how weak we are. Instead we should think about God and how strong He is.

This wonderful phrase throughout Scripture is a reminder to be in reverential awe of God, to love Him with our whole being and commit ourselves joyfully to Him in all things:

I’m in a win-win play-off. If I live I win. If I die I win.”

Let the promises of God’s Word, the Bible, uphold you every day. Turn constantly to Him in prayer,

Ruth was always thinking of others. This was her secret for getting through so much of life with joy. She never focused on her problems, she turned her attention to Christ, and He always led her to someone who needed a word of encouragement or a listening ear.

she goes from church on Sundays to the local nursing home to visit the elderly, read Scripture to them, and pray for them. She looks forward to this each week. She’s focused on others.

my prayer list.

The Lord blesses people who bless others, and He gives grace to those who focus on the things that please Him.

we must not forget to make the things of God the center of our thinking and doing.

“End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.”

While we cannot add anything more to our experience, believers in Christ have the hope of hearing the Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21 NKJV).

Jesus taught that death was a passage for the spirit into the presence of God (Luke 23:46).

“There is none righteous, no, not one” [Romans 3:10 NKJV]; “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God” [1 Chronicles 22:19 NKJV];

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. . . . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever”

“We do not . . . grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). But we still grieve, and that is as it should be. Jesus wept as He stood by the tomb of His friend Lazarus

It’s easier to focus on the memories of the past. But we still have people who love us and need us, and we still have responsibilities. Most of all, God is not finished with us; He still has a plan for the remainder of our lives.

everyone you are going to meet this week is carrying a heavy burden.”

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2); and “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

Sometimes all they need is someone who will listen. Remember that God is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God”

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;

have a spirit of gratitude—gratitude for the life of our loved one, gratitude for all he or she meant to us, gratitude for the years God gave us together, and most of all gratitude that death ushers a saved soul into God’s presence forever.

“Show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 7:9).

Pray that they will experience God’s comfort, and pray, too, that they will turn to Christ for the peace and hope

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

our own loads are not as heavy when we begin helping others.

When we make choices with the Lord Jesus at the center, life’s journey can be purposeful and filled with hope that one day we will be reunited with all those who have impacted our lives.

If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! (Jeremiah 15:19 NLT)

The Bible instructs generations to pass on what has been learned.

God wants us to finish well—and one of the ways we do this is by passing on our values and our faith to those who will follow us.

The greatest legacy you can pass on to them is the legacy of your character and your faith. The same is true for other young people who know us and observe us even if they aren’t related to us.

Pray consistently for your family. God knows their needs far better than you do, and He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”

Make your prayers specific, and make them daily.

God gave them to you, and He loves them. They are one of God’s gifts to you, so let them know you love them, both by your words and by your actions.

the Bible says, “Do nothing out of favoritism” (1 Timothy 5:21). God made each of them, and He loves each of them—and so should we. Our loving and fair treatment of each should build up their faith in themselves and in God.

“make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy” (Hebrews 12:14), and “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). Peace isn’t possible in every case, but we are to make the effort.