"A Man of the Word"

“A Man of the Word”

 

Shortly after moving to Manchester I was invited to a Gideons’ Pastors’ Dinner by Charlie Chase, a member of our church and long-time participant with the Gideons. As we talked we found out that we’d worked with the same construction representative in building programs in New Hampshire and New York. (No wonder the designs were strikingly similar.) So we had an immediate bond as brothers and coworkers in Christ.

As I got to know Charlie better I saw his passion for God’s Word, local and international missions and being a witness for Christ. On two occasions he was broadsided while driving and while he was hospitalized from his injuries led both of those who hit him to the Lord. When I visited him I commented that I admired him for wanting to share his faith but could think of less painful ways of doing so! He chuckled and said he relied on God’s promise that “…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God….” (Romans 8:28, NASV) and he wanted to “…make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5) because he may not have another one.

Charlie joined Jesus and his wife Donna in Heaven in 2003. The young man whose driving carelessness caused the accident that led to his receiving Christ gave his testimony at the memorial service (and at various Gideon functions as well). In my funeral message I likened Charlie to Ezra, the 5^th century B.C. scribe who restored worship in Jerusalem during the days of Nehemiah. We read in Ezra 7:10, “…Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (As an aside, this statement has led to my believing Ezra, or someone very much like him, is the anonymous author of Psalm 119.) If we replace Ezra with Charlie and Israel with New Hampshire we have a fitting description of this Man of the Word.

Charlie left his family, church and community a legacy of faith, godliness and service. You and I are building a legacy as well. How will I be remembered? I pray it’s, as with Charlie, as a Man of the Word.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan