LITTLE ROCK — DEAR REV. GRAHAM: All I’ve ever wanted to be is a famous pop singer. But I tried out recently for a television contest and they said I didn’t have what it takes. Now I’m really depressed. Why didn’t God let me achieve my dreams? I’m 17 years old.
— L.J.
DEAR L.J.: I know this has been a great disappointment, but God knows all about you, and the most important thing I can urge you to do is to commit your life and your future into His hands. God loves you, and He knows what is best for you.
After all, have you ever asked yourself why you had this as your goal? I don’t know what your answer would be, of course, but I do know this: Fame can be a very dangerous thing. Yes, it might look glamorous to have millions of people liking you and cheering you on, but is it really? How many people in the public eye are truly happy? How many celebrities fall victim to addiction, divorce or even suicide? Over the years, countless celebrities have confessed to me how empty their lives were. Like the writer of Ecclesiastes, they discovered, to their sorrow, that “everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
I urge you to commit your life to Christ and seek His will for your future. God made you, and He wants you to use whatever gifts He has given you for His glory. Turn to Jesus and ask Him to come into your life today. You’ll never regret it.
Almost your whole life is ahead of you; don’t waste it. Learn to walk with Him every day. God’s way is always best.
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
MovieStyle, Pages 36 on 03/23/2012