A MOMENT OF REFLECTION
PAUL ORTIZ
ARE YOU WEARY? AN ISLAND CHURCH PERSPECTIVE
T
hese are very interesting times we are living in. There is so much happening around us and in the world that has caused a great deal of consternation. There is political unrest. There is political division. There is uncertainty everywhere. Covid-19 has resulted in so much change in our lives in just the last 120 days it is hard to believe how quickly we arrived here. There is concern of when we will get to the other side of this. As if that were not enough, we are seeing protests, riots and destruction around our country. Hate is the new love. Our nation is becoming unrecognizable. Turn on the news and 99 percent of what you see or read is negative. That really leaves a lot of people fearful. My advice is to turn it off. I saw a very thoughtful and compelling post the other day. It read, “If you believe everything you read, why not read the Bible?” That is very provoking. Everything we see happening in the world today are the words of the Bible unfolding before our very eyes. God is sovereign over all! Daniel 2:21 declares, “He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” God is not surprised by any of this and better yet, He has provided for all of it. If you are weary, there is hope! Jesus said, “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:32-33 If you are weary right now and concerned about the future, look to Jesus who found His peace in God the Father. There is rest, peace and hope found in the God of the Bible. He created the world and has a plan for it. God came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ to redeem the world unto Himself. He makes right what is wrong. Moreover, He has overcome the world! With all the chaos and unrest in the world, there is only one who has overcome it all! Jesus is a place of rest! Even in the middle of the chaos of the world today, His peace and rest are available to anyone who would come to Him. All through the history of the world we have evidence of the sustaining character of God for those who would trust in Him, even in the most difficult and tireless circumstances. Psalms 3 is David’s prayer and acknowledgment of the work of God in his life. “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in God.’ Selah But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah.” PSALMS 3:1-8 If you look to world for hope, you will find none. All that this world offers to any of us is temporary. What Jesus offers is eternal. It is forever! Acknowledge God and He will acknowledge you. Jesus’ offer to anyone who is willing is this, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” MATTHEW 11:28-30
If you are weary, I offer you Jesus the hope of the world. Government doesn’t have the answers. Political parties don’t have the answers. The greatest minds of the world do not have the answers. God has provided the answers and hope. It is found in His Word and Jesus is the Word! He is not hiding, you can find Him today! €
12 CAROLINA SALT Late Summr / Fall 2020 » CarolinaSalt.com
THE ISLAND CHURCH PASTOR PAUL ORTIZ
Paul Ortiz is a follower of Jesus Christ, not religion. A husband and father, he is pastor of The Island Church in Emerald Isle. Reach him at paul@TheIslandChurchEI.org
