When the Freeze Reveals What Needs Renewal

Jose Portillo
12 minutes ago
6 min read

Dear friends and family of Vive Charlotte,

Today our city is covered with ice. A small freeze, almost unnoticed at first, has the power to disrupt daily life and expose weaknesses in systems and structures that quietly needed attention long before the cold arrived. Pipes burst, roads crack, and infrastructures that went too long without care suddenly demand repair—sometimes renovation, sometimes rebuilding from the ground up.

Allow me, as your pastor, to reflect with you on what this moment can teach us spiritually and practically.

In Christ, we are called to grow and to depend on Him. For over a year now, as we have journeyed together through the Gospel of John, we have heard Jesus’ persistent invitation: to come to Him, to know Him, and to walk with Him. The invitation has been clear. The opportunities to draw near to the Lord are many. Yet, like the disciples, we often struggle to make His words our own.

We have seen this in the recent sermons. Even as Jesus gives His disciples promises, their hearts remain weighed down by the pain and sorrow they know is coming. Their attention is fixed on what they must endure, rather than on the faithfulness of the One who walks with them through it.

Today, as ice covers everything and hidden fractures are revealed, we are invited to consider our own lives. The spiritual conditions around us—uncertainty, pressure, fear, fatigue—may be exposing areas of our hearts that need renewal, reconstruction, or even a fresh beginning through the Word of God.

The apostle Paul urges us not to assume we are standing firm without examination. If we neglect the care of our spiritual lives, when the harsh winters come, the damage can be real. But the invitation of Christ remains open, even when we cannot gather in person: to come to Him, to draw near to His throne of grace, to plead for His mercy, and to rest in His kindness.

Use this unexpected pause. Take account of your life. Gently examine your spiritual condition. Let this Sunday be a moment of holy inventory, so that when spiritual winters come—as they surely will—we are prepared, rooted in the joy of the Lord, and ready to support one another in the work of His kingdom.

We are grateful for you, we are praying for you, and we look forward to gathering again soon.

In Christ,

Pastor José Portillo

Take a look at this spiritual assessment I put together for us to consider:

“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” — WSC Q.1

The Heart Assessment

Rate each area from 0 (Struggling to see this) to 4 (Resting deeply in this truth). Remember, this is a tool for reflection, not a measure of God’s love for you.

1. The Diligent Use of Means

I am seeking to glorify God by consistently attending to the Means of Grace, the Word, the sacraments, and prayer, trusting the Spirit to nourish my soul through them.

Pastoral Note: Faith is strengthened not by willpower, but by God’s promises (WCF 14.1).

Score: [ 0 ▢1▢ 2▢ 3▢ 4▢ ]

2. The Assurance of Grace

I am resting in the Assurance of Grace, knowing I am united to Christ. Even in seasons of darkness, I find my soul comforted by His fatherly love.

Pastoral Note: Our assurance may be shaken, but God's foundation stands sure (WCF 18.2).

Score: [ 0 ▢1▢ 2▢ 3▢ 4▢ ]

3. Mortification and Vivification

In the strength of the Spirit, I am practicing the mortification of sin, turning away from "idols of the heart" (distractions, food, or busyness), and seeking satisfaction in God alone.

Pastoral Note: Sanctification is a lifelong "warfare" (WCF 13.2).

Score: [ 0 ▢1▢ 2▢ 3▢ 4▢ ]

4. The Communion of Saints

I am participating in the Communion of Saints, being bound to other believers in love, sharing burdens, and receiving the mutual help necessary for my pilgrimage.

Pastoral Note: We are not meant to walk alone (WCF 26.1).

Score: [ 0 ▢1▢ 2▢ 3▢ 4▢ ]

5. Trust in Divine Providence

I find peace in God’s Providence, believing that even my trials are ordered by a wise and loving Father for His glory and my ultimate good.

Pastoral Note: God upholds and directs all things by His most holy and powerful providence (WCF 5.1).

Score: [ 0 ▢1▢ 2▢ 3▢ 4▢ ]

Cuando la helada revela lo que necesita ser renovado

Queridos amigos y familia de Vive Charlotte,

Hoy nuestra ciudad está cubierta de hielo. Una pequeña helada, casi imperceptible al principio, tiene el poder de perturbar la vida cotidiana y exponer las debilidades de sistemas y estructuras que, sigilosamente, requerían atención mucho antes de la llegada del frío. Las tuberías se rompen, las carreteras se agrietan y las infraestructuras que estuvieron demasiado tiempo sin atención de repente exigen reparación: a veces renovación, a veces reconstrucción desde cero.

Permítanme, como su pastor, reflexionar con ustedes sobre lo que este momento puede enseñarnos espiritual y prácticamente.

En Cristo, estamos llamados a crecer y a depender de Él. Durante más de un año, mientras recorríamos juntos el Evangelio de Juan, hemos escuchado la insistente invitación de Jesús de: acercarnos a Él, conocerlo y caminar con Él. La invitación ha sido clara. Las oportunidades para acercarnos al Señor son muchas. Sin embargo, al igual que los discípulos, a menudo nos cuesta asimilar sus palabras.

Hemos visto esto en los sermones recientes. Aun cuando Jesús da promesas a sus discípulos, sus corazones permanecen oprimidos por el dolor y la tristeza que saben que se avecinan. Su atención está fija en lo que deben soportar, en lugar de en la fidelidad de Aquel que los acompaña en su camino.

Hoy, mientras el hielo lo cubre todo y se revelan fracturas ocultas, se nos invita a reflexionar sobre nuestras propias vidas. Las condiciones espirituales que nos rodean —incertidumbre, presión, miedo, fatiga— pueden estar exponiendo áreas de nuestro corazón que necesitan renovación, reconstrucción o incluso un nuevo comienzo a través de la Palabra de Dios.

El apóstol Pablo nos insta a no dar por sentado que nos mantenemos firmes sin examinarnos. Si descuidamos nuestra vida espiritual, cuando lleguen los duros inviernos, el daño puede ser real. Pero la invitación de Cristo permanece abierta, incluso cuando no podemos reunirnos en persona: podemos venir a Él, podemos acercarnos a su trono de gracia, para implorar su misericordia y para descansar en su bondad.

Aprovecha esta pausa inesperada. Haz un examen de tu vida. Examina con delicadeza tu condición espiritual. Que este domingo sea un momento de santo inventario, para que cuando lleguen los inviernos espirituales —como seguramente llegarán— estemos preparados, arraigados en el gozo del Señor y listos para apoyarnos mutuamente en la obra de su reino.

Estamos agradecidos por ustedes, estamos orando por ustedes y esperamos reunirnos nuevamente pronto.

En Cristo,

Pastor José Portillo

Consideré esta evaluación espiritual que he preparado:

Guía de reflexión pastoral y oración

“El fin principal del hombre es glorificar a Dios y disfrutar de Él para siempre.” — CSM P.1

La evaluación del corazón

Califica cada área de 0 (dificultad para comprender esto) a 4 (profundo en esta verdad) . Recuerda que esta es una herramienta para reflexionar, no una medida del amor de Dios por ti.

1. El uso diligente de los medios

Estoy tratando de glorificar a Dios atendiendo constantemente a los Medios de Gracia, la Palabra, los sacramentos y la oración, confiando en que el Espíritu alimente mi alma a través de ellos.

Nota Pastoral: La fe se fortalece no por la fuerza de voluntad, sino por las promesas de Dios (WCF 14.1).