Fields United Methodist Church

Jesus Along the Way: Words of Hope and Grace                 By Pastor Tom Joyce

August 25, 2020

“Be still, and know that I am God!”   Psalm 46:10

Sleepless nights. Pacing the floor.  Worrying about what to do next. Bogged down with an endless to-do list. These are all part of a longer list of symptoms of trying to be God, and being all things to all people. God is calling each of us to task, to understand that we are not God, rather we need faith in the One who created us, redeemed us, and has been with us from the time we were conceived in the womb. As our lists increase, our ability to live life in the abundance of God’s grace decrease; we begin not only to see life as a half-empty glass, but as an empty vessel. God, through our Savior Jesus Christ is telling you, “be still, and know that I am God,” because you are not and you were never intended to live a life fulfilling endless to-do lists that will “do you in.” Put your faith in Jesus, and stop fighting a “battle that has already been won.” Rather celebrate the gift of life you have received today, complete with the hope of celebrating even more tomorrow. The words of Jesus that implores us to “come all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” is a plea from our Living Lord to put your life in perspective, to “be still, and know that I am God.”  As I write these words, I have my list to my right and several piles of stuff to my left that needs to all be done yesterday. Yet in the middle of my desk, between my typing hands is laid open the Bible, God’s love letter. I see the words, “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3). As I wonder about what to do next, God is telling me, “I have blessed you with time, not for seeing life as an endless series of tasks but rather as moments of boundless grace, that I intend for you to share.” Maybe the cure to sleepless nights, worry, and the general attitude of endless work, is to let God be God and to view life as an adventure, with every turn a new chance to offer grace as grace has been offered to us. “Be still and know that I am God,” is the affirmation of grace received and hope confirmed. When worry sets in hear God say, “be still and know that I am God.” When sleep is interrupted by thought of what to do next, “be still and know that I am God.” When we begin to wear out the floor pacing hear God say, “be still and know that I am God.”  Faith is about knowing God, through our Risen Savior is with you along the way; we just need to be reminded by God’s precious words to us; “be still and know that I am God.”

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor