Pastor's Corner

I just wanted to say how pleased we are with Odessa for welcoming us into the town and making us feel a part of this community. Our parting is bittersweet, as we will miss so many of you, and yet, we are excited for this next journey that God has us on.

In times like these, when we are in a season of transition, we can feel very unsettled. My college professor called it being disequilibrated, that is, our equilibrium has been upset. This can cause anxiety, worry, fear and doubt. And Heritage Church and the community will be in disequilibration once we leave.

When we feel this way, God reminds us that He is here for us. He reminds us that He has a plan even if it doesn’t feel that way.

Isaiah 55:8–9 (NASB95) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

This passage offers a rather comforting thought. There are things that God has planned that are too great for us to understand. Sometimes we think less of what God is actually doing. Sometimes we aren’t thinking big enough towards what God can do. But God’s ways always take the high road. God doesn’t want us to settle for good enough, He wants what’s best for us.

And when those plans are in play, they don’t always make sense to us, but God’s plans are always good, perfect and pleasing (Romans 12:2). We just have to trust Him. When we are in the middle of our doubt and fear over things being turned on their head and we can’t make sense of what we’re going though, God says:

(Cast) all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NASB95)

…if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NASB95)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB95)

When we don’t understand what God is doing, we can ask Him. He will help us understand and then send us peace in the midst of the storm. That peace will guard our thoughts and our emotions so that we can trust Him more.

We leave Odessa with wonderful memories. We may be leaving, but you will not be forgotten.

– Pastor Jon Hayashi