He was dying. My
precious “Father-in-Love,” Bill Bright, had just been
told that he had pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable disease
that hardens the lungs. Doctors said that time was short
and that the end would be painful and horrible. Bill Bright
responded as he has for more than fifty years… by praising
his sovereign. God.
Bill told his family the news. We prayed together, cried
together and, following his example, praised God together.
He told us that God let him know that just as he had spent
decades showing people how to live as a follower of Jesus
he was now going to show us how to die as a Christian.
The lessons taught have not been lost on his “Daughter-in-Love.”
Once, when we had some quiet moments together, I asked
him if there was one thing he has done over the years
to which he attributes his successful running of (and
now finishing) the race God had for him. Father did not
miss a beat as he told me that the key is found in two
choices he has made.
The first choice was to write a contract in which he signed
over complete control of his life to God. My “Mother-in-Love,”
Vonette, did the same. They each wrote down everything
they owned, every dream they cherished, every ambition
they strove for… everything they could think of, and committed
it all to the Lord. They now believe that if there had
been no contract, God could not have trusted them with
the vision of Campus Crusade for Christ. It is amazing
for me to think about the fact that that one decision
not only changed their lives forever, but also the eternal
destiny of millions more who would hear of Christ’s love
through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.
The second choice has been a daily one. Father said that
every morning before he does anything else he takes a
moment to say good morning to his Savior and to commit
the new day to Him. He surrenders control of his activities,
his schedule, his relationships… everything, and asks
the Spirit of God to do His work in and through him. Every
day has become an adventure because the Creator of the
universe is in control—not Bill Bright. Every problem
becomes an opportunity to see his all-powerful God work.
Bill said that he may not always have time to do his Bible
study first thing in the morning, but he never let anything
steal away his morning communion with his Master. It was
here that his course for the day was set. It was upon
this daily choice that a lifetime of faithful service
was built.
I believe that if every Christian would make these two
choices for their own lives our world would never be the
same! Bill Bright does not have to be the exception in
the Body of Christ. God may not intend for all of us to
have the worldwide influence of a Bill Bright, but He
does long for everyone to experience the joyous freedom
and power that comes from total surrender to Him. The
promise Jesus gave us for an ‘abundant life” can be a
reality in every believer’s experience. If it was, the
world around us could not help but sit up and take notice.
I know that I am a different woman since applying these
choices to my own life. Circumstances may not have changed,
but I sure have!
The song, “The Choice” is my tribute to my Father-in-Love.
It reflects the prayer I now pray every morning. I will
be forever grateful for his life-changing example. I hope
that when I come to the end of my race, I too will hear
the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.
The Choice*
A new day is dawning,
sunlight rushes in.
My head’s already spinning with all there is to do.
But before I throw the
covers back a battle must be won—
I must choose whose race I’m going to run.
Whose voice will I listen
to?
Whose words will I heed?
Whose strength will I
depend upon?
Whose will will I choose?
The enemy is fighting,
to win my heart and mind.
His words are so tempting and they seem to blur the
line.
But with everything I
have inside I’ll hold on to what is true.
Not my will but Yours be done.
Lord I long to walk with
You.
Whose voice will I listen to?
Whose words will I heed?
Whose strength will I depend upon?
Whose will will I choose?
I choose to walk with You all through my day.
I choose to walk with
You my king.
Take my hand, hold me steady.
Let me hear Your voice
Guiding each step I take
Giving strength for each
step I take
Making sure that each step I take takes me closer to
You.
Your voice I will listen
to
Your words I will heed
Your strength will I
depend upon
Your will will I choose
Your voice will I listen
to
Your words will I heed
Your strength will I
depend upon
Your will will I choose.
