Fields United Methodist Church

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

August 20, 2020

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

It is easy in this season of pandemic, social and political change to feel defeated, unable to do the things we once did for God. It may be a feeling of fear; fear of spreading or contracting COVID due to the pandemic. Could be a fear of retribution for expressing any opinion that may be different from somebody else’s opinion. Fear has a way of controlling our lives and our ability to see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ especially in times such as these. You have the power of the Holy Spirit and you are witnessing whether you know it or not.  Many years ago, a woman came up to me and told me she felt worthless to anybody, as she was unable to be active in the life of the church like she once was.  Her fear was that she was disappointing Jesus in her inability to help others along their way. I reminded her that she was still a witness, perhaps more than ever, in how she lived her life, how she loved others and how her faith was an inspiration to others just by her being there for others. “How can that be,” she proclaimed.  God makes a way for us when we think there is no way; God offers strength when our fears seem to stifle our living.  You have the power of the Holy Spirit now, at this moment to overcome the multitude of challenges and fears that may creep into your life. God is bigger than the pandemic and is certainly bigger than politics and societal challenges. The greatest gift you can offer someone else is the gift of your faith that guides and impacts how you react to the people around you and the events of the day. You are a witness of the grace of Jesus Christ offering hope certainly in new ways. God through Jesus is doing a “new thing” in you and is strengthening you along the way; you are needed and you are God’s beloved. You are needed now more than you have ever been in your life. Things may be a bit different today than they were even a few months ago, but God’s love for you has not changed; it is just as intense, pure, and unwavering as it ever was; maybe ever greater.

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor

Fields United Methodist Church