Re-focus on balancing God's Priorities
In thinking through ALL of our memories of Max, I will focus on just one recurring theme, which Max continued to patiently, re-direct ...into my life's priority system....
It was Max's desire to help me, to continually, re-focus on balancing God's Priorities:
God FIRST
Spouse SECOND
Children THIRD
Job (USMC) FOURTH
Public Ministry FIFTH...even though in reality, we 'do constantly model' Ministry ...as we Navigate life.
HOWEVER...when, I get these priorities out of order...the Result is always CONFLICT !! Which is God's way of letting me know that my life is not within this dynamic balance.
The very first time I met Max, was at the Base Chapel at MCAS Cherry Point...in 1971.
When he perceived, that Ministry at the Base was overshadowing Marriage Relationships...he separated the Married Men from the Single Men...
He then gave us Married Men the following Quote...Prov 9:8...'Chastise a FOOL and he will HATE you...Chastise WISE man, and he will LOVE you.' And then he said...'I think that you men are WISE enough to hear this... NOW, Go home and get some time with your Brides...we will deal with Public Ministry later..'
Years later, Max recruited Rachel and myself to Nav Staff, and we were assigned to MCAS Yuma, AZ.
To continue mentoring us, Max would visit the Base every month, and I would want to show him all of the ministry activities, in which we were involved...basically, to validate my being on Staff...
AMAZINGLY...His FIRST question was always...'SO John, HOW are you and Rachel DOING??' Because he knew...that if we were doing well...then Ministry will flow...
With Marines, it sometimes takes a while...but I finally understood!!
THANK YOU MAX...for not giving up on us !!!
Semper fi,
John & Rachel V