The following meditation was written by Rev. Dr. Michael B. Brown, Pastor of Blowing Rock Methodist Church in North Carolina.
“Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are capable of teaching others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 (Common English Bible)
“‘I bring Naya into the Magic Kingdom.’ The Eyes of the Heart begins with a reference to Frederick Buechner’s maternal grandmother, Naya. But this time, he isn’t remembering Naya. Instead, Naya (who died in 1961) is there with him.”[1] Such is often one of memory’s gifts to us as part of the greater gift of grace. If people were special to us, they remain special with us. Some lessons we learn stay with us always. So, also, do the ones who imparted those lessons.
My father taught me a love of public speaking, Duke athletics, and the New York Yankees. He is deceased, but every time I stand behind a pulpit, watch the Blue Devils play, or turn on a Yankees-Red Sox game, he is there with me. My mother was a magnificent southern-style cook. My unending love of culinary arts is one of many ways she lives on in my life, despite the fact that she died forty years ago. I developed a love of poetry from a high school English teacher named Lena Flenniken, who has long been deceased. And yet, never do I experience the lyrical loveliness of William Butler Yeats, Emily Dickinson, or Robert Frost without feeling her presence in their words. Owen Weatherly taught me theology. Mickey Efird taught me biblical interpretation. John Carlton taught me homiletics. All now reside in that “eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”(2 Cor 5:1 NIV) And yet, each of them in very real ways lives on with me, in me, and through me. Death is not strong enough to erase the presence or influence of those who helped shape us into who we are. “Where is your victory, Death? Where is your sting, Death? . . . Thanks be to God, who gives us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:55, 57) and his resurrection. Death is no match for the impact sacred lives have on our lives.
When he wrote to Timothy, whom he considered his son in the faith, Paul confessed that he had made a sincere and concerted effort to teach Timothy the deep truths about Christ and Christian living. He sought to be a lasting influence in Timothy’s life. And, he hoped his young spiritual protege would then pass those lessons along and influence others, who would do the same for others still. “Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are capable of teaching (passing them on to) others.” (2 Tim 2:2)
As part of this meditation, I suggest that you make a list of five names from your past. Beside each name, briefly note the impact that person had on your life, the key lesson you learned from them.
[1] Name ____________ Lesson ____________________
[2] Name ____________ Lesson ____________________
[3] Name ____________ Lesson ____________________
[4] Name ____________ Lesson ____________________
[5] Name ____________ Lesson ____________________
What would your life be like were it not for the contributions of the persons whose names and lessons you listed? What would your faith be like were it not for the contributions of those individuals, and perhaps a list of additional names, as well?
Buechner brought Naya into the Magic Kingdom with him. Her influence, her impact, her life had been too large ever to be erased or deleted from his essential self. Something of her went with him as he carved and crafted his own experience of living. Who goes with you? And, who will take you with them?
Joy,
[1] Munroe, Jeffrey. Reading Buechner (Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press, 2019), p. 58
Nurture Faith with Dr. Doug Hood 