01/17/2025
From Rev. Dale Meyer:
A Meyer Minute… One thing Diane and I are increasingly feeling is helplessness. Oh, we’re not totally helpless, yet, but more and more we can’t handle challenges the way we used to. Passwords come to mind, computers and software too, but I’m thinking of greater troubles. Slip and fall on the ice: how do I get up? Retirement funds: what if we run out of money? Living alone and growing old: I can’t cope with it all. Talk about helplessness, Lord help the victims of the wildfires!
All our lives we work, we make our way through challenges. And yes, “the Lord has helped me hitherto” (The Lutheran Hymnal, 33:1). I recall a slogan from some years ago, “God is my copilot.” Not now, not in the decline of age. I’m not up to flying the “plane” or whatever I used to do with relative ease. God is my pilot. Always was, though we didn’t always realize it. In growing helplessness, we can grow in spiritual dependency. “Lord, take my hand and lead me” (Lutheran Service Book, 722:1).
Fundamentally it’s the difference between grace and works. In my ministry I’ve known good, active, church people who were taken down by debilitating illness, like a stroke. They survived but could no longer work as they loved to do. It’s a hard lesson from our Lord. “Lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast” (LSB 699:1) “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:5-6). Still, it is definitely not easy.
“When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me!” (LSB 878:1). “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).
