Joel Vermillion
In 1993 I had the privilege of travelling with Major as his 'mule', as those of us who have assisted Major with his travels are affectionately labeled. There are many memories that come to mind from those months spent assisting him, but one in particular has come to mind numerous times over the past months and years. We had finished a week of meetings in a town somewhere on the east coast of the US and hadn't had a meal for many hours. As often happened, the final night of Bible teaching went late into night as Major preached for a number of hours before people starting asking their questions, the answers to which were often sermons in their own right! After looking in vain for a restaurant that was still open where we could have our supper, we ended up in a bar where we enjoyed ribs and milk in the wee hours of the morning. When the waitress brought our meals the Major asked her if she knew the Lord Jesus as her Saviour and proceeded to share the joy of knowing Christ with her while his food grew cold. Major was a man of singular purpose and focus who lived what he preached day in and day out. Every night before falling asleep he would read a devotional from Oswald Chambers' book, "My utmost for His highest", which would more often than not concluded with a Christ centered sermon as he drifted off to sleep.
During those months carrying his bags, taping messages, typing letters, bringing him breakfast and countless other mundane tasks, Major modeled and taught the truth of Christ working in us and through us as the only possibility of truly living the Christian life. Preaching Christ was a joy for Him as he had discovered that nobody can live the Christian life on their own. It is in depending upon the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we can experience the true joy and love and peace that only Christ can give. I now work at the Torchbearer school in Sweden where I have the privilege of sharing this same truth with others day by day and year by year. The day after I heard of Major's passing I was sharing with a group of German youth from the first chapter of Philippians where Paul says "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain". Needless to say, I was reminded of Major as I thought of Paul's love for the Lord and for the church in Philippi expressed so beautifully in this passage. Major remained for many years on this earth for our 'progress and joy in the faith', though now is at home with his Lord and Savior. The highest tribute we can give to Major is not to put him on a pedestal, but to look to the same Lord Jesus the Major served, and live each day available to what He wants to accomplish in and through us. We will miss Major as a big brother, but will look forward to praising our Lord Jesus in heaven together with him someday.
Until then, press on!
Thursday, 9 August 2007
