The Meyer Minute

The Meyer Minute for March 8, 2012

“Nobody knows the trouble I see” goes the old Gospel song, “nobody knows but Jesus.”  Yes, He certainly knows but sometimes others do as well, and when they do, it’s encouraging.  “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to us all.”  (1 Corinthians 10:13).  When you read a gifted writer, one whose prose or poetry succinctly describes what you’re going through, you feel less alone, not hopeless.

That happened to me with a hymn based on the story of the Emmaus disciples, Luke 24.  “Stay with us, our spirits sigh; Hear when our weary spirits cry.  Feel again our loss, our pain: Jesus, take us to Your side.  Walk with us, the road will bend: Make all our weeping, wailing end.  Wipe our tears, forgive our fears.  Jesus, lift the heavy cross.  Talk with us, till we behold a joyful life You will unfold.” (Lutheran Service Book, 879)

Do you read enough devotional literature that you know where to turn to find voice for your deepest feelings?  You will cope much better in life and be better prepared for eternity when you’ve read so much devotional literature that you know the authors who can plumb your feelings…and also who challenge your assumptions.  Sometimes we need challenge more than comfort!

 

The Meyer Minute for March 7, 2012

Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter was very sick, so sick that the family’s hopes for their daughter to have a normal childhood and grow into adulthood were fading from view.  Jairus got to Jesus and asked Him to come.  Jesus agreed but got sidetracked by an incident in the crowd.  During the delay, the girl died.

Jonathon had been diagnosed as a child with leukemia.  Thanks to medical advances, treatments costing half-a-million dollars, and, as always, thanks to Heaven, Jonathon’s leukemia is in remission.  Now 26-years-old, Jonathon joined us for a Concordia Seminary fundraiser with St. Baldrick’s Foundation to fight cancer.  Thanks to all who donated, we raised over $5000.

When Jesus finally got to Jairus’ home, He raised the child to life.  Cancer sidetracks people of all ages from pursuing their goals.  In those detours, we learn the truth of “Now but not yet.”  Now we have the promises of perfect life from God but not yet do we always experience them.  And though serious illness brings grief, it increases hope.  Jesus will come, and when He does our dearest goals will be realized.  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”  (1 Corinthians 2:9)  

 

The Meyer Minute for March 6, 2012

I sat down and asked, “How long will this take?”  The man with a New York or New Jersey accent said, “In my case, it could be a couple of hours.”  The other men mumbled assent, not upset or angry, actually at peace with waiting.  They were sitting on the benches outside a women’s clothing store and I had joined them. 

The store had big glass windows so the men could see in.  “Look, she’s going up to the rack.  You’re in trouble.  OK, she’s backing away, she’s sitting down, you’re safe.”  Meanwhile people walked by on the sidewalk.  The women passing by didn’t see us, intent on the displays, but if a man walked by he commiserated.  Out comes Diane, “Dale, I found something.”  Like a puppy, I went in, did the trick of pulling out the plastic, and out we come.  “Hey, guys, she said she saved me some money!” “You only bought one instead of two?”  “Yeah, but there’s another store just a little way’s down.”

It’s all part of the privilege.  “Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25)  

Have you seen the benches that have a life-sized bronze figure sitting on them?  I bet he was a real guy who really, really aged while he was waiting for his wife shopping.  

 

The Meyer Minute for March 5, 2012

When bad things happen you don’t need a million Bible passages or confusing theologians to help you cope; you just need one or two basic truths.  Over the centuries the church has come up with some basic principles for faithfully interpreting real life.  One such principle is “now but not yet.”  Now we know the good things God has promised those who love Him, but do we have them?  Sometimes not yet; sometimes still to come.

People in 12 states have been devastated by extreme weather and tornadoes.  “Now but not yet” gives a faith way to cope with the tragedy.  Jesus stood up in a boat and told the wind and waves to be still; they quieted down.  He is the Lord of nature but not yet do we see that.  The winds didn’t die down. So we have the promise of a perfect creation but not yet do we see it.  Faith yearns for the day when all the good things of God are here and now.

“Preserve in wave and tempest Your storm-tossed little flock; Assailed by wind and weather, may it endure each shock.  Stand at the helm, our Pilot, and set the course aright; then we will reach the harbor in Your eternal light.” (Lutheran Service Book 658, 5)