Cloud of witnesses
Manny and I had the chance to spend time with Chuck Colson for his 75th birthday celebration as well as the 30th anniversary of the Prison Fellowship Ministries. I was so touched by him. This man of power, formidable in size and stature, loomed before me. And yet when he spoke to me, he was so personable, so kind and caring, so humble. He remembered my name and made it a point to call me by name; he wrote us a letter of thanks afterwards, again using my first name, to express his appreciation for the frame our church made for him on this special occasion as we have all been so touched and moved by his life, his books, his messages in so many ways. It was amazing because Mr. Colson could have chosen the way of power and politics. He was right there, at the top, an accomplished lawyer and politician, and even at age 75, still astute and sharp as ever. And yet, he gave it all up to reach inmates in the prison cells. I was reminded of the recent message we heard on Joshua and Caleb, how at age 85 after 45 years of conquering peoples in the Promised Land, still exclaimed, “So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” At age 75, after establishing Breakpoint, Prison Fellowship Ministries, and writing numerous books, Mr. Colson can very well say I’ve fought the good fight and retire. Yet, there he was, on his own 75th birthday celebration, preaching the Gospel that night with fervor and conviction. I was just so thankful that we were able to somehow meet this man of faith and that our church was able to express our love, appreciation and deep respect for him.