A Word from Pastor Lisa: Uprooted and Transformed
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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 12:1-2 (NRSV)
There is little more satisfying in our earthly lives than pulling up a thistle or dandelion by the roots. That’s exactly what I was doing when I heard our 5-year-old’s voice cry, “Aaah! You’re digging up my beautiful dandelions!” I looked over to see an altar of dandelions she had harvested in the center of our small garden, in addition to the bouquet in her hands. How is one person’s weed another person’s beautiful flower?
The uprooting of this pandemic has given me ample space to contemplate the challenge of finding beauty in difficult times. As an Extrovert with a capital “E,” I’ve learned to enjoy quieter weekends at home. I’ve been grateful for modern technology like Zoom. The daily meetings tire me, but what a gift to Zoom with my grandpa for his 102nd birthday last year. I no longer take for granted time with family, dining out, vacations, meaningful employment, health care, and a safe home. I’ve wrestled with letting go of my white economic privilege in ways that dismantle unjust systems and generously support others. I’ve seen our faith community care for others, even from a distance, and continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us. In a year when I expected to see nothing but dandelion weeds, I’ve also witnessed some beautiful flowers.
Young children have a God-given ability to see flowers instead of weeds. As adults, this type of vision takes practice, or rather, spiritual practices that shape us. In Romans, Paul instructs us “not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” How do we renew our minds? Methodist founder John Wesley says we should “attend upon the ordinances of God,” and describes six practices that shape us:
1. The public worship of God.
2. The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded.
3. The Supper of the Lord.
4. Family and private prayer.
5. Searching the Scriptures.
6. Fasting or abstinence.
These practices are not a destination, but a lifelong journey of growing in faith. Over the next five weeks, we’ll explore in worship and at the Journey different stages of growth, of “transformation by the renewing of our minds,” that are part of our Christian journey. The lens we’ll use are the five vows we make when we join a United Methodist Church, supporting the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We’ll learn about God’s role, the church’s part, and our own initiative in our spiritual development. How are we transformed, by God’s grace, to see flowers where others only see weeds? And how do we, as the Body of Christ, shape disciples of Jesus who transform the world into the beautiful place of Christ’s reign on earth? I’m excited to walk this path of discipleship as we learn to see in new ways together.