What are the “first things?” For this sermon series, I asked myself the question, “what are the things I consider most important in our Christian walk?” Over these next few weeks, as we explore what they are, I pray that we will all gain a better understanding and that these “first things” will have lasting meaning in your life.
We began with the call of Jesus on each of our lives, as he uttered the words, “follow me” (Mark 1:16-20). We continued last week by acknowledging that we are all sinners in need of the amazing grace of God (Luke 15:11-32). This Sunday we will be exploring the theme of transformation. Once we have received God’s amazing grace, we are called to become something new. Our text this week, from Romans 12:1-2, will guide us as we explore what a transformation like this might look like. How will it enable us to grow as people of faith?
Poet Mary Oliver has written a beautiful poem of transformation, entitled The Journey. It speaks of the moment when you dare. When you dare to listen to your own truth and set sail into a new life – a transformation. You cannot know where its voice will lead you. But you alone can respond to its call. Take time and read slowly, letting her words, and Paul’s words in Romans 12, speak to you today
The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.
-Pastor Jane