Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus.                              Pastor Tom Joyce

March 12, 2021

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:2

It is easy to get lost in the distractions along the way, those things that attempt to draw us away from the joy of our faith; sometimes it feels like life gets in the way of celebrating the presence of Jesus in our lives. Yet, God has blessed us in so many amazing ways, all of which are working to transform our minds and our heart, bending us toward living a life of grace, peace, hope, and joy. Lee Ann Womack sings, “I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.” (“I Hope You Dance,” Lee Ann Womack) Maybe that is the key to actually living out a transformed life and basking in the presence of God through Jesus now and forever; living with knowing just how blessed we are despite everything that may be happening around us. Being “transformed” comes down to the love of God in Jesus Christ, a love that never ends and a love that will always, always witness the will of God— “what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Take this moment, this transformative moment, that Jesus is offering you today and celebrate the goodness of God in all creation, to live in this moment the Lord has given you. No matter the journey you find yourself on today, you have been blessed and are surrounded by God’s blessings. It may at times be hard to see all that God is doing in your life, but God will never leave you, never stop loving you, never stop blessing you. The cares of the world can have a way of dragging you down, but Jesus is and will continue to lift you up and “renew your strength, you shall mount up with wings like eagles, you shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) The will of God for you is to be transformed by God’s grace, renewed in the Spirit and to continually celebrate the amazing, unfading, and eternal love God through our living Savior Jesus Christ has for you. You are blessed by God this very moment and every moment of your life now, “even to the end of the age.”

Rev. Tom Joyce