There's an old cliche that reminds us, "Life is a roller coaster.You can either scream every time you hit a bump or you can throw your hands up in the air and enjoy it." Saturday I took my youth group to Kings Island and successfully de-fanged the Diamondback, which is the best roller coaster I've ever ridden. At one point, after successfully surviving my thirtieth near-death experience of the day, I looked up at the sky and shouted, "This is life!" I had no idea how prophetic those words actually were.
Sunday, as it turned out, was a roller coaster of emotions. After a refreshing seven hours of sleep, I awoke and was immediately greeted by the Lord's peaceful presence. The Sunday School lesson was insightful, the worship was satisfying, and the sermon was electric! But for me, the greatest part of the morning worship service was the dismissal prayer from Bro. Eugene Hamilton.
Bro. Hamilton is a retired pastor who has preached all over the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He has spent nearly all of his 54 years of marriage to his wife Mildred as a tireless soul-winner. He is the man who led Henry Broughton, one of West Corbin's outreach coordinators, to faith in Jesus Christ. Our church was greatly saddened, therefore, when he announced at the end of April that he and Mildred were moving to Tennessee. To honor his nearly six decades of effective Kingdom ministry, West Corbin Baptist Church hosted a farewell reception in his honor on Sunday afternoon.
Bro. Hamilton's dismissal prayer was my favorite part of the service because it brought me to tears. He began as he always does - by praising God for His goodness and thanking the Lord for His bountiful blessings. Then, speaking from his heart about the wonderful sermon delivered by our pastor, Brian Burkhead, he referenced Stephen as a model for Christian maturity. Referring back to the pastor's point about the privilege of growth in the Christian life, Brother Hamilton asked the Lord to help each of us grow in our relationship with Him. But what he said last broke the dam of my tear ducts: "And Dear Lord, help [Mildred and I] as we move to Tennessee. Help us find a place where we can continue to grow."
This eighty-year old preacher, who is probably close to the finish line of faith, was asking God to help Him keep growing. It would be so easy for him to put his spiritual engine on cruise control and just coast to the end of life, but Bro. Hamilton wants no part of that. That's why he exemplifies a life of greatness - he, like his Master, will finish the race in total victory.
At the moment I heard his words, I started to cry as a flood of emotions overtook my heart. I felt sadness because, after Sunday, I would never again see this great man of God on this side of Heaven. I felt conviction because at times I am spiritually stagnant. But I also felt joy, because the presence of God responded to my repentant heart the way He always does - by reminding me of His unfailing love, and cleansing my heart anew with His precious blood.
Bro. Hamilton's greatness isn't illustrated by just a prayer, however. As I was hugging necks and shaking hands after the morning worship service, the familiar touch of an anointed hand pressed against my shoulder. It was Brother Hamilton. He had one last surprise for his favorite preacher boy.
"Brother Ed, I have something for you in my car. Can you use some books?"
Today was his day. Loved ones were in town, his church was preparing a reception in his honor, and he had dozens of people from all over the state clogging up interstate traffic just to come and shake his hand. And still, his heart was as generous as ever. He wanted to bless me.
That, my friends, is the mark of greatness in the Kingdom of God. Sunday, while Brother Hamilton's family and friends were honoring his life in ministry, I was digging through boxes of books in hopes of carrying on his legacy. While loved ones were taking his picture, Brother Hamilton was preaching perhaps the greatest sermon of his life. He was giving what he had to simply do what he could. Sunday afternoon, in the West Corbin fellowship hall, greatness was on display.
Here's to you, Brother Hamilton. I'm sure gonna miss you.
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