CHAPTER 19
Plugging into
Continuous VoltageWhen we come to the end of ourselves,
we come to the beginning of God.
BILLY GRAHAMBilly’s colleagues often speak of the constant pressure Billy has
always felt. It’s easy to see why.
Imagine the pressure of conducting the funeral for the dis-
graced former President Richard Nixon while the nation skepti-
cally watched and listened for every nuance. Imagine the
emotional demands on him when he conducted the memorial
service after the Oklahoma City bombing.
The service at the National Cathedral right after the 9/11
attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon presented
perhaps the greatest pressure of all. The nation was in deep shock;
the entire world would be watching on television. Billy’s words
and tone, both for Americans and for people of all other nations,
had to be just right. That would be challenge enough to step up
to at the height of your powers. But it was a frail octogenarian
with serious health problems who mounted the steps to the plat-
form with steady purpose and told the nation, “God is our refuge
and strength; an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will
not fear, though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into
the heart of the sea.”
With internal strength, Billy declared, “You may be angry at
God. I want to assure you that God understands these feelings you