Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus                                                        Pastor Tom Joyce

March 5, 2021

“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2

So what does it mean to be imitators of God? Well, Jesus is the “image of the invisible God,” (Colossians 1:15) so just be more like Jesus in all you say, do, and think. There are times when we make life more complicated that it needs to be; to be more like Jesus is to simplify and place Jesus at the center of everything, extending kindness, putting “away bitterness and wrath and anger and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32) There is no doubt that the COVID pandemic has caused much stress and anxiety over the past year; many lives have not only been lost but have been radically changed. When we add bitterness and anger on top of everything else going on in our lives, our stress level increases dramatically and the joy of living the life God intended for us to live greatly diminishes. Growing up, we always imitated our favorite sports heroes when we played football, baseball, and basketball; we envisioned ourselves as those we admired as we made the winning basket, touchdown, or catch. So, what if we envisioned ourselves doing what Jesus did in the same way; with every conversation be like Jesus, with every action, be like Jesus, with every thought, think like Jesus. It is time to offer grace, kindness, compassion, and true love of neighbor, just as Jesus offered those around him and offers you at this very moment. It is so much easier to offer joy than headache, much less stressful to forgive as you have been forgiven, and to treat others with the same grace that has been offered you.  Be an “imitator of God,” and witness Jesus with every breath; you will be a blessing as you have been blessed.

Rev. Tom Joyce