water that no matter how much anyone pumps out of you, they’ll
have a hard time lowering the level of the water even one inch.
“That water is always cool. Even though the pump is used a
lot, the water goes up through the pump, and the pump is
refreshed. Have you ever heard that passage in John 7, ‘Out of
your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water’? That’s
what I’m talking about.”
Ann winked and added, “I guess what I’m really saying to
you, Bill, is that you need a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ.”
Bill laughed, because as an evangelical Christian, he figured
he was the one who was supposed to be saying that to the nun.
He told us, “She knew I had a relationship with Jesus but was try-
ing to say, ‘Way down deep, you’re shallow!’” Bill chuckled at the
irony of that phrase. “The problem was, I didn’t know anyone
who had anything deeper than I did.”
“If you’re serious about this,” Ann suggested, “I think we can
help you get your pipe down deep where the people can pump.
You may get tired every now and then, but you’ll stay refreshed
and energized.”
Bill followed her direction. And between Ann’s regularly
pointing him back to his spiritual source, his paying attention to
his physical health, and the developing of some key friendships,
Bill was able to continue to effectively lead without consuming
himself.Trust the Power Given
Because Billy realized the power didn’t come fromhim but
came throughhim, he didn’t feel obligated to overreach with his
methods.
Jack Hayford, himself a powerful preacher, observed, “Billy
Graham reveals a remarkable absence of the superficial, of hype,
or of pandering to the crowd.... His communication consistently
avoided exaggeration or ‘slick’ remarks. There’s never been any-
thing cutesy or clever about his style. There are no grandiose
claims or stunts employed to attract attention. Graham merely
Plugging into Continuous Voltage