The Unexpected Lesson Behind a Sculpture: Looking Beyond the Man to the Mission

I went to the conference to sharpen my writing, but my most profound lesson came on a hilltop outside the classroom.

A friend encouraged me to attend a writers conference in North Carolina.

In late May, my husband and I headed to Ridgecrest where he worked remotely while I mingled with authors, editors and publishers who, with their credentials, overwhelmed me.

Many topics were taught by godly men and women and their words replayed in my head.

I needed a break so one evening, Danny and I drove into Black Mountain for dinner. As we drove back to Ridgecrest, I remembered the bronze sculpture we had rushed past when we first arrived.

Now, near the end of the conference, I felt an urging to stop and see the statue up close. I asked Danny to stop the car so I could climb the steps to study a towering likeness of Rev. Billy Graham. 

His sculpture stands beside a 17-foot-tall cross with three nails at its base. His arms are outstretched, an open bible in one hand, as though welcoming everyone to the message of the cross. 

I was taking photos when I felt God’s nudge to go stand behind the statue. There, my eyes were no longer on a man’s likeness, but rather what he was gazing upon… the mountains in the distance.

From that vantage point, I imagined the faces of too many to count.

In those mountains I saw God’s vastness and the magnitude of Graham’s mission. From humble beginnings, God called him to fulfill the Great Commission and equipped him every step of the way.

Graham preached the gospel to millions in person, and through his broadcasts those numbers skyrocketed into billions. He never let it go to his head.

He often spoke about being humbled by the enormity of his mission. Even as he leaned on God’s strength, he admitted feeling unworthy at times.

On that hilltop God humbled me again. He reminded me of the significance of my own calling to share Christ - and that my impact, whether through social media or speaking in person, isn’t measured by likes or stats, but by faithfulness. 

At its core, my goal is the same as Graham’s. The world-renowned evangelist said, “my one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which I believe comes through knowing Christ.”

Whether we minister to one or many, every act of faithfulness matters to God.

God has called each of His followers to share the good news, that Jesus died on a cross for our sins and rose again three days later. We’re called to tell His story and offer others the same hope of eternal life we have through Him. 

My aim is to serve God with excellence, follow His leading, share the good news, and trust His provision - always staying within the boundaries of scripture. 

There are countless ways for all of us to teach God’s Word and encourage others to grow, stay strong and persevere in faith. 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life,” is inscribed on a stone near Graham’s sculpture. He preached John 3:16 over and over, knowing God’s Word never returned void.

Graham’s reach was global. 

My ministry is small, but I serve a Big God. Standing on that hill, I was reminded to keep my eyes on God and the mission, not man. 

My ministry for women is different than Graham’s, but the hope of Jesus I offer is the same. 

Consider where God is calling you to share His love. Is it with your family, a friend, a coworker, or someone you’ve never met? 

The Great Commission wasn’t given only to evangelists. It was given to all of us. Whether God calls you to reach one person or many, your responsibility is the same; be faithful and leave the results to Him.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” ~ Matthew 28:18-20