Fields United Methodist Church

Pastor Tom’s Weekly Blog.                           “Repentance”                   Jonah 3

September 18, 2020

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.”   Jonah 3:10

During this season of pandemic, I dream of taking a road trip, anywhere…. I love to travel and love to drive, to see the sights and explore places I have never seen. Every once in a while during these adventures, I take a wrong turn, I know I took a wrong turn, but pride overtakes common sense and I continue to drive, the wrong way. The longer I drive, the more lost I become. Pride has a way of leading us all astray, thinking that we are right when we may not be right, when our direction leads us away from our final destination. It is only when we stop and turn around that we begin to realize where we had been heading could lead to some pretty nasty consequences. So it is with our lives; when we continue down a path that is contrary to where God would have us to go, we feel the weight of sin and “lostness,” losing sight of the joy that comes with being led by God. Repentance is all about stopping what we are doing, turning around, and seeing the “everlasting arms” of Christ waiting for us, forgiving us, and welcoming us back to a path paved with forgiveness, mercy, grace, peace, hope, and joy.  It is a path of renewal and homecoming for those who have strayed away from living out the two simple commandments of God; to love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. Life can be so hard when we carry the burden of sin, which takes us away from knowing the fullness of grace. Repentance is the opportunity to lighten up our lives so we can live in the light of Jesus. Liberian singer Kanvee Adams sings, “Carry my Load… Lord always be at my side…”  Repent, and allow Jesus to “carry your load.”  Thank you, Jesus, for carrying our load of sin to the cross, allowing us to turn back from taking a wrong turn that has led us down the wrong path. May we live in your love and grace, renewed in spirit and filled with your grace.  Amen

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor

Fields United Methodist Church