Fields United Methodist Church

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

August 26, 2020

“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”  Romans 10:17

A few years ago, prior to this season of pandemic, we were on vacation and decided to play a rigorous round of Putt-Putt, or what some would call “miniature golf.”  What was unique about this course was at the beginning of each hole there was a Scripture verse followed by an inspirational quote. With every hole, the words became more and more alive in our hearts to the point where we started talking about them. The word of God along the way through our round of miniature golf was not only refreshing but was inspirational. If the builder of the course did not include these signs of hope and grace along the way, we would have still enjoyed the round but with the added words of grace added a whole new dimension; we felt inspired, knowing that a person of faith wanted us to experience God’s word in a new and blessed way. We “heard” the voice of the writer, we heard the conversations in the parking lot that were inspiring and faith-nurturing to us. Faith does not exist in a vacuum; it must be witnessed. The Bible is God’s love story for you, filled with the living Word made real through Jesus Christ. Prior to the birth and ultimate resurrection of Jesus, the word was powerful but with Jesus it becomes absorbed within the fabric of your life. But faith is not intended to be lived in isolation, it is intended to be shared. Faithful witness comes in many forms, scriptures on a putt-putt course, Bible study, Christian conversation and worship in the many various forms we now are experiencing. Faithful witness comes from those caring for loved ones, or just being caring. As a pastor, I am overwhelmed by the daily witness of faith through those serving the needs of others. Your witness is important, how you live, and how you care for others and how you proclaim Christ in how you fulfill the command to love God and neighbor. No matter where you are along the way through life’s journey, our Lord’s hope, grace and power are with you by faith and through the faithful witness of others that journey with you.  Listen for the word of Christ speaking to you, especially you, today.

Rev. Tom Joyce