Fields United Methodist Church

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

October 5, 2020

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” 

Genesis 1:31

Prior to creation, there was nothing, a “formless void.” When God began creation, everything that was added was new and was truly a first time for everything. However long it took creation to finish, every step required something new to be added, or what was already to be refined. When everything was finished, God stepped back and said, wow, this is very good. The only thing in this life that stays the same is change. God changed a formless void into an amazing creation that includes you and me. But the change and newness didn’t stop there; when Jesus became “flesh and dwelled among us,” God ushered in a new way of looking at life, and even life beyond death. Everybody on this earth is part of the created order, including you and me. Every once in a while we slip and do not act, think, or speak as we ought towards others, falling far short of Jesus’ command for us to love our neighbors. But God is not done offering us new life, hence Jesus. Jesus came so that we may live in newness of life, free from the shackles of sin, recognizing that each of us have been called to offer grace as grace has been offered to us; and that is very good. Jesus said those “who look back are not worthy of the Kingdom of God” because God’s Kingdom is dynamic, ever changing, as our lives are truly a work in progress by the Lord’s hand.  Here is the reality; when God looks at you, God says, “you are very good.” But God is still at work in you and continuing to make “all things new” in you. Our God is a God of second chances. Maybe the way to accept the newness of life is to step back as God did and see all creation as God sees it, and just praise God for its goodness. Remember, God includes you, especially you, in making all things new.

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor