The Noontimes

Friday, September 23, 2011 – Luke 7:11-17 – Do Not Cry

A series of miracles unfolds for us when we read this portion of Luke’s Gospel.  It is an also an unfolding of God’s hand, a hand that calls us.  It is an opening of God’s presence among us, a presence that settles into us.  We need to expect miracles in our lives.  We need to be open to their possibility.  We need to ask God for them.  We need to believe that they can and do happen every hour of every day.  Miracles are not merely stories we read or wishes we hope for when we see a shooting star or blow out the dancing flames of birthday candles.  Miracles are the hand of God wiping away tears.  Miracles are the voice of God saying to us, Do not cry . . . And they take place every hour of every day.

In God’s hand is the soul of every living thing . . .  Job 12:10

God does not leave us to wonder about his existence, he comes to walk among us in the person of Christ.

God does not visit with us when he is bored or forget us entirely when another interest calls him away.

God does not play with us to see how we react; he does not find joy in our sorrow.

The Lord takes delight in his people . . .  Psalm 149:4

God is constantly with us, never leaving our side.

God suffers with us and feels our torment.

God celebrates with us when we find joy.

Each of us has been the Widow of Nain at some time in our lives; we have each suffered deep and damaging sorrow.  We may also have been the deceased son, dead to everything that formerly had meaning in our lives.  Seeing that the Widow of Nain would be destitute without the protection and support of her son, Jesus does not hesitate to call the young man back to life.  In doing this, he saves not only this small family but he also converts hundreds more who witness the miracle.  He calls the people of Nain– and us – to his message of love, telling all who will listen that we are free to act as God acts, free to love as God loves.

Do not cry . . . God is constantly whispering to us in little ways each day.  God calls us back to life and restores what we have lost.

Do not cry . . . God is constantly shouting to us in big ways each day.  God shepherds us past catastrophes and saves us from our worst choices.

Do not cry . . . God is constantly putting up warning signs.  God runs after us when we are too blind to see or hear his message.

Do not cry . . . God is constantly forgiving and loving us.  God runs out to greet us when we return to him.

Do not cry . . . Jesus says to the Widow of Nain . . . and to us.

Come back to me . . . God says to the Widow’s son . . . and to us.

We are all children of Nain.  Let us rejoice in the miracles we are granted.

To learn more about the town of Nain in today’s Noontime, go to http://www.ancientsandals.com/overviews/nain.htm