Would You Do Anything Differently?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 9:28AM I was intrigued to read this interview with Billy Graham on what he'd do differently if he could start all over:
CT: If you could, would you go back and do anything differently?
BG: Yes, of course. I'd spend more time at home with my family, and I'd study more and preach less. I wouldn't have taken so many speaking engagements, including some of the things I did over the years that I probably didn't really need to do — weddings and funerals and building dedications, things like that. Whenever I counsel someone who feels called to be an evangelist, I always urge them to guard their time and not feel like they have to do everything.
I also would have steered clear of politics. I'm grateful for the opportunities God gave me to minister to people in high places; people in power have spiritual and personal needs like everyone else, and often they have no one to talk to. But looking back I know I sometimes crossed the line, and I wouldn't do that now.
It's got me thinking of some things I'd do again, and some things I'd change if I could turn back the clock.
Tomorrow I'll post some regrets. On Thursday I'll post some things I'd do again. I'm interested in your thoughts as well. What would you do differently if you could start all over?
Reader Comments (5)
I would think things through more, pray a lot more, and take a longer view of life as well as ministry...
Especially after TPF yesterday, I know I would pray more.What is irritating about that is the number of times I was warned as a younger pastor to do this very thing. It is so easy to see all the other demands of ministry as more important - what an exposure of my deep-rooted pride!
I'll get back to you.
[...] Graham got me thinking about what I’d do differently if I could turn back the clock 20 years. I do have regrets, but [...]
I wouldn't procrastinate as much. I can think of a few more things I would do differently, but I will get back to you later,....