Daryl Meyers
THE JOURNEY
It was 1957, and I was about to begin an adventure my 14-year-old mind could not have anticipated much less prepared for. My parents drove me from our home in Atlanta, Georgia to a small country school called Forest Lake Academy, and it was definitely country.
Across the two-lane road from the Academy was a pier that went out a short distance on a small waterway called Mirror Lake where faculty and students could relax a little or enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset, that is if the mosquitoes didn’t drive them away. Just behind the Academy but still on school property was another small lake (where an alligator was found) as well as grapefruit and orange groves, with some of the best fruit trees anywhere. As to businesses or restaurants nearby, there weren’t any, or if there were, they were well-hidden. No fences or gates surrounded the school for there was no reason to have any.
Since this was my first time away from home, I had no idea what to expect; given that I was a bit shy (quite a bit, actually) and homesick didn’t help either. Before I knew it however, my new adventure was underway; attending classes, being involved in the school’s work program, and other student activities.
Early in the school year all the students took part in what was known back then as “Ingathering;” a church related program designed to raise funds for mission work. Supervised by faculty, all the students were assigned locations within 100 miles or so from the school where they would spend the day soliciting funds from the community, returning later in the day.
Our car of boys was headed to St. Petersburg and by mistake one of the girls’ cars was headed to the same location. We made it; they did not. Four of our beautiful young ladies lost their lives in a terrible car accident, a tragedy that few could even begin to imagine much less forget. The feelings of loss and the sudden absence of these young women hung like a cloud over the student body and for many of us who experienced this tragedy, the scars still remain. It was difficult to keep going, but we did the best we could with the help of parents, faculty and friends.
Somewhere in September or October a Week of Prayer was held at the school for the students. It was during this week that I had a deep life-changing spiritual experience which has served as a light and powerful influence in my life ever since. Although I wasn’t sure how, I wondered if God could actually do something with someone like me who was not only timid, but didn't feel he had the ability or talents others had. My place was to stay behind the scenes; let others more capable lead the way.
Apparently God had other plans in mind, for it seems He could see possibilities in me, as He does with all his children, that others could not. “Average” as I overheard a teacher tell my parents when I was younger, does not seem to exist in the mind of God. To Him, all His children are extraordinary with gifts and talents they may not be aware of.
After graduating from academy, I continued my education at Southern Missionary College, now Southern Adventist University, except for one year taken to study abroad in England (Newbold College). Not only was that year a great experience, but it was there I met a young lady from Sweden named Kerstin, who eventually became my wife of 56 years now and still counting.
After returning to SAU from England, I graduated with a BA in Theology and went on to Andrews University where I eventually completed Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Towards the end of 1969, my wife and I were invited to Liberia, West Africa where I served as Mission Evangelist and Youth Director from 1970 – 1974.
Les Pitton, who was in Liberia at the time, and I worked together to plan a special trip to West Africa (1973) for a wonderful choral group from Forest Lake called “The Last Generation Singers.” Their ministry in music and the testimonies they shared were a tremendous blessing to our African church members and others, both in Liberia and Ghana.
In time my wife and I were eventually asked to move to Nigeria where I served as Union Evangelist (1974-1978) and Youth Director as well as editor of our church paper. In 1976, through efforts on both sides of the Atlantic, arrangements were made for the King’s Heralds quartet and HMS Richards Jr. to go on a musical tour of Nigeria. To be involved in the planning as well as their tour throughout the country was a wonderful and uplifting experience not only for me, but for so many who attended their performances.
As with a tiny seed that needs a certain environment and special care in order to fully develop into what the Creator had in mind, it would seem God works with us in the same way, leading us to experiences often unexpected and sometimes uncomfortable that allow us to develop in ways we might not expect or even feel capable of. This was my experience in Africa where I discovered certain abilities I didn’t know I had.
While overseas I had opportunities to meet leadership within the countries where I worked as well as dignitaries from abroad, such as President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, Billy Graham, William R. Tolbert, President of Liberia and Shirley Temple Black, American Ambassador to Ghana; the last two of whom were interviewed for national church publications in Great Britain and the U.S.
After returning to the U.S. in 1978, God apparently had some plans I was not aware of nor could have anticipated. Doors opened unexpectedly in healthcare where for 40 years I was involved in hospital ministry as a chaplain, including 38 as both chaplain and Director of Community Relations. Although I had already had opportunities to contribute through music (humble beginnings of which began at FLA) in this country as well as Africa and Europe, this new chapter in my life included recording opportunities as well.
Though now retired from healthcare, I have not retired from life. It would seem God is not finished with me yet. I have just completed a book based on this amazing adventure I have been on and though I have begun a new decade (80’s), I am still writing and recording.
As I look back across the years and reflect on my life’s journey and all the experiences I’ve been through, I understand something that when I was younger I could not. There is no such thing as “coincidences.” God’s timing is perfect and His ability to bring about situations or circumstances that encourage us to make important decisions or move in certain directions is once again anything but coincidental.
And by the way, like me, you might be a bit shy or feel like you can’t quite measure up to what others can do, but as with me, God has a way of seeing abilities we cannot, of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
And no, you don’t have to be perfect or even close. Who hasn’t fallen from the path, missed the mark, yielded to temptation? We all have. What’s important is paying attention to the spirit within, grateful for each moment we have and doing the best we can. The rest God will take care of.
Like me, perhaps a few of you are now a bit older than what you were as students at FLA or even, could it be, moved into that rather interesting experience called “retirement.” If you have, do not allow society or well-meaning friends to marginalize your ability to contribute to life and the people around you. You are still alive not some relic to be observed. The gifts and talents you’ve been given and the wisdom you have gained over the years are still there. Be present, a “present” to others. You have much to give. Reach out and touch the lives of others and make a difference. You will never regret it. You will only regret it if you don’t.
Daryl Meyers is an alumnus of FLA; a speaker, writer and musician. Additional information about him can be found on his website at: meyersmusicandmeditation.com
