Charles Schreiner, retired pastor, shared this inspirational story in the December 27, 2000, edition of the local newspaper where I lived at the time. It was a blessing to me and I share it now with you.
One of New York’s most celebrated highlights is Rockefeller Center, located between Fifth Avenue and the Avenue of the Americas. This prominent site occupies more than 12 acres of ground and includes more than 15 modern buildings.
Rockefeller Center is famous for its glittering bronze statue of the Greek god, Atlas, carrying the globe of the world on his mighty shoulders. He is bending forward, as if straining with its mighty weight.
Across the street is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and inside the door of the Cathedral is another statue: the Christ child.
Gracefully, near the second aisle, Jesus is holding the globe of the world in His hand.
How are you dealing with this new year of 2025? The same as you did in 2024, trying to strain with all your might to hold everything together? Are you struggling to try to make things happen or to avoid other things happening? Are you endeavoring to be like Atlas and try to carry the huge weight of the world upon your shoulders?
I invite you instead to give your problems and burdens and troubles to Jesus. The most overwhelming things to you – the things that keep you awake at night and fill your heart and mind with stress and fear – won’t even cause Jesus to break a sweat! As that beautiful old song reminds us, “He’s got the whole world in His hands!”
The Apostle Paul declared in Colossians 1:15-20, “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Jesus is Large and in Charge! No matter what is happening in the world or in your life, Jesus is still on the throne and He reigns forever and ever. Don’t try to solve the problems yourself; give them to Jesus and let Him easily carry them in His hand. Paul counsels us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” (The Message). Jesus is in Control and you can trust Him with All your worries and fears. Give them to Him!
This Sunday, January 26, we will focus on “The God of Yes!” from 2 Corinthians 1:20-22. Too often we think the Christian life is all about No! “No, you can’t do this! And No, you can’t do that!” But Paul reminds us that all God’s promises to us are “Yes!” in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us.
On Sunday, February 2, everyone is invited to stay after the service for an “ono-licious” Fellowship Lunch in the Fellowship Hall. (No need to bring anything for the meal; everything will be provided.) After the lunch, all members are invited and encouraged to stay for the Annual Meeting of the congregation as we rejoice in the Lord’s faithfulness in 2024. Please don’t miss it!
Note: If you are interested in membership at Honolulu Assembly of God, you are invited to attend the “Joy of Belonging” classes that take place every Sunday in January at 9:30am. I would love to see you there.
Aloha ke Akua!
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