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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: After being acclaimed as a star player, I was dismissed by my high school football coach because I sent the wrong signal more than once. I was devastated but couldn’t argue that I had disappointed him and the team. Then the coach asked me to talk to a group of younger kids about how to handle defeat, because I responded well to the discipline. While playing ball, I tended to hold back my Christian witness. It took a plunge downward to raise me back up. I’m glad I understood that surrendering my disappointment opened up a new perspective on life! Can God use this in my life and in others? – J.D.

A: Sports umpires and referees use arm movements to signal their calls during a game. The red, green, and yellow lights on a traffic signal tell drivers to stop, go forward, or prepare to stop. Signals are all around us.

Our actions act as signals too. They tell others about what is going on inside us. A frown signals worry, a smile signals happiness, and a thumbs-up signals that something is going right. Our actions also tell others about our commitment to Jesus. This is why the Bible tells us to give ourselves wholly to God as an offering of worship. Whatever it is our bodies are doing, we should want to honor God.

People will judge us on the inside by what they see happening on the outside. We may claim to know Jesus, but if our actions tell a different story, people have the right to question our claim. How we dress, how we talk, and how we act daily all should honor God. We are to be “blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault’” (Philippians 2:15, NIV).

We can hold nothing back from God. Surrendering is a definite and conscious act on our part in obedience to the Word of God, and He does bless it.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.