LITTLE ROCK — DEAR REV. GRAHAM: I consider myself a spiritual person, but I’m not religious in a traditional sense. I mean, I don’t go to a church or believe in doctrines or things like that, but I still believe we all have a spiritual side that we need to cultivate. I suppose you’d argue with that, but what would you say?
- J.Z.
DEAR J.Z.: The first thing I’d do is commend you for believing that we all have a spiritual side, and that we shouldn’t ignore it, but should cultivate it.
After all, many people today act as if the only important thing in life is pleasure, financial security or some other material goal. But we don’t just have a body and a mind; we also have a soul or spirit, given to us by God. When we ignore our souls we end up missing the true meaning of life, which is to know God and do His will. Jesus warned, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
How will you cultivate your spirit? To put it another way, how can we come to know God? My prayer is that you will seek Him with your whole heart and that you’ll seek Him in the right way. God, the Bible says, wants us to seek Him, for “he is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).
This is why I urge you to look at Jesus Christ as He is found in the pages of the New Testament. The Bible says He was God in human flesh, sent from heaven to bring us back to God. Seek Him with an open heart and mind, and discover the truth of God’s great love for you.
Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201 or visit the website at
billygraham.org
Style, Pages 28 on 07/31/2012