Susan Panzica, Author at Susan Panzica

Can you see clearly?

Posted on May 2, 2018May 2, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Today, I’d like to open with a brief excerpt from my brand new, hot off the press book – a fairy tale called The Quest.

In the story, young Esperanza dreams of a life beyond the dark village where she lives. She encounters Mai-Lyn and Sienna along the way, and the trio embarks on a perilous quest from the village to the magical garden where the King dwells. In one chapter, a knight takes the girls behind a waterfall and asks them what they see as they look out through the flow of rushing water. After trying to picture scenes from their journey, the knight said:

“You each see many things that you’ve seen before. But look again; do you see them clearly?”

The girls squinted, peering out through the cascade of water, looking out to the garden and beyond. They had to agree. Though they could discern the places they’d been, they could not see any of them clearly.

“This is how it is when for those who live in the village. My Father and I created all that you see and were meant to enjoy. But those who dwell across the chasm see a poor reflection of what I intended. The lies and deceptions create a veiled view of what truth is.

“What you think is love is at best a deep friendship, and at worst an exploitive relationship. It differs greatly from the sacrificial love that my Father and I have for you.

“In the village, you feel disappointment because you expect perfection, both in yourself and in others, but nothing can truly be perfect apart from a relationship with my Father and me.”

Mai-Lyn opened her mouth to speak, then quickly shut it.

“You want to be strong and independent, but that can lead to isolation. You were called to be strong within community. There is beauty in being part of something greater than yourself, depending upon those even stronger than yourself, and helping those less fortunate.

“You strive to achieve great things, but you miss the greatest thing—your true worth that comes from my Father, the King.

“Let us go now to meet him.”

In 1 Cor. 13, the famous “love chapter,” Paul describes true love, agape love, thay unconditional, patient, kind, perfect love that the Father has for us, His daughters. And then he says,

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Cor 13:12NLT

So often, when we look at our lives, the people and circumstances that surround us, we think we see it all clearly. But like looking through a waterfall or a reflection in a mirror, what we see is imperfect. Only God with His omniscient vision can see it all clearly. He can see the present and with it – people’s motives, extenuating circumstances, the bigger picture. He can see the future, and consequently, He has no worries about the outcome.

Our only course of action is to fully understand that we don’t know it all, even if we think we do, and to trust the One who does. As Paul says,

We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. . . . But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. V. 10&13 MSG

Although the book hasn’t officially launched yet, The Quest is available on Amazon. For more information on or to order, visit https://amzn.to/2I5UGXA.

Purpose in the Pain

Posted on April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 by Susan Panzica

For the past two years, our friend Bob has undergone rigorous, debilitating chemo to fight the cancer that is plaguing his body. It’s taken a toll physically and emotionally, but he has this to say about it:

“Don’t ask God to take you out of the pain. Ask Him to bring you through it. The pain makes you focus on what’s really important. . . Not that I like it.”

How often would we avoid struggles if at all possible? We don’t like them. But if we could see them as Bob does, they will have eternal value.

That’s how the Apostle Paul saw his struggles too. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he talked a lot about his struggles.

In chapter 11, he provided some of the specifics of the horrible experiences he endured:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 2 Cor. 11:23-27

But his perspective was an eternal one. He made a choice on what to focus on, on what was really important:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18

And because of that, he saw both the present and eternal benefits, the strength that comes from knowing his weakness allowed God to be strong in him:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10

When we face opposition, health crises, financial hardship, family turmoil, or other problems, can we, like Bob, ask God to bring us through it rather than take us out of it? Can we seek God’s plan in the midst of the mess? Not that we like it. . .but can we look for the value in it? Can we see that His grace is sufficient? Because then, like Paul, we can say, “when I am weak, then I am strong!”

Bloom in Adversity

Posted on April 5, 2018April 4, 2018 by Susan Panzica

These lenten rose perennials are my harbingers of spring. Every year, I look forward to their sunny faces breaking through the dirt. This year, I wondered if they would be hurt by our many spring snowstorms, including the unexpected April snow this week. But here they are, pushing through adverse conditions, not letting the cold reception dampen their spirits, and teaching me in the process.

In every storm, there’s something to be learned, an attribute to be developed, an insight to be gleaned. God never wastes a hurt, a problem, a sorrow when yielded to Him.

Seeing these buds peek through the snow encourages me to push through my own struggles. When it seems a blanket of adversity is about to swallow me, I see these beauties – seemingly fragile flowers –standing tall and tough.

These plants have roots buried beneath the soil that sustains them. We can’t see them, but they provide the power to survive the adversity.

God is calling us to develop strong roots:

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:17-19

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col 2:6-7

Did you catch all that?

Rooted and established in love
Have power!
Grasp the extent of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
Be filled to the measure of ALL the fullness of God
Continue to live your lives in Him
Strengthened in faith
Overflowing with thankfulness

These roots will nourish our souls and provide strength to sustain us during the cold hard winters of our lives that we may bloom in victory standing tall.

In The Middle – the dark place between sorrow and joy

Posted on March 31, 2018March 31, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Today we are in the middle.

Yesterday was Good Friday –

the pain of suffering,

despair, heartache,

the event that left us full of tears

Tomorrow is Easter –

the joy of new life,

resurrection,

rising from the ashes of pain

Today we are just in the middle-

the preparing for tomorrow’s feast,

tomorrow’s worship,

tomorrow’s new garments

Do you ever feel – in the middle? Having experienced tragedy or loss, but waiting for the future hope and peace that is promised? We must wait, but not as those with no hope. It was while Jesus was waiting that He set the captives free.

When I was in Israel, one of the most powerful moments for me was at the Garden Tomb. I entered the empty tomb, and after my eyes adjusted to the darkness, saw the white garments folded on the stone bench. Turning to exit the tomb and enter the light, I saw a rough, wooden sign that read:

“He is not here;

he has risen,

just as he said.”

Matt. 28:6

Seeing those words in that place was a powerful reminder that He has risen. The full verse includes the words JUST AS HE SAID! So what else did He say?

We have been healed:“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”-1 Peter 2:24

We have a future:“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

So we must:“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Titus 1:2

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

Today, while still in the middle, this is my prayer for you:“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

My heart is grieving for a family that suffered a tragic loss. They are in the dark Saturday tomb and have lost hope for the future. They aren’t preparing for a glorious tomorrow. They are clinging to the pain of today. Perhaps you are in that place too or know someone stuck in their dark night of the soul, a place we are meant to transverse, not dwell.

The angels at the tomb asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee…” Lk. 24:5-6

Oh that we could stop looking among the dead, in the dark, but remember and cling to what He told us, the hope for the future.

Today let us pray together that you and they and we all may remember the truth He told us and catch of glimmer of the glorious hope to come.

May you have a most blessed Resurrection Day! May you rejoice with Him who rose from the dead to give you eternal life, who endured the darkness to bring us with Him into the light. And may you be preparing for the ultimate feast, worship and garments yet to come!!

Remember – Rethink – Reconnect

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Another snowy nor’easter is barreling across the Northeast USA. We’ve been hit hard this March. Several huge snowstorms in a few short weeks. Technically, it’s spring, but you’d never know it from looking out your window.

I have three random thoughts to share on this snowy day:

1 – There’s a lot of grumbling out there, but let’s remember – we had one of the warmest February’s on record. How easy the memories of the blessings are wiped out by current harsh situations.

O my God, my soul is in despair within me [the burden more than I can bear]; Therefore I will [fervently] remember You … Ps 42:6 AMP

When we are in the midst of difficult times, it’s more important than ever to open the Word, to dwell upon the character and promises of God, to close our eyes and seek Him in prayer, to remember the “former things,” the blessings so easily forgotten.

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Is. 46:9 NIV

2 – How is it that such pure white beauty can be so destructive. When we look at the surface of things – or of people – we can be deceived. Even “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Cor 11:14 NIV)

So take the time to look deeper, to develop deeper friendships, to look beyond the facade. Don’t think that what you see on social media is necessarily the truth.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance …. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 6:7 Paul repeats this truth in 2 Cor. 10:7 – Don’t judge by appearance.

3 – During the last storm, many huge branches broke and entire trees were uprooted causing countless detours as well as loss of power and utilities. A large downed tree trapped my in-laws and their neighbors on their small dead-end street. Since the town was overloaded with other urgent repairs and road work, the neighbors, who seldom saw each other, connected. Together, they got their chain saws and removed the tree. Their work not only allowed them to escape their street, it also joined in fellowship those who lived there. Individually, none of them could have removed the tree, but working together, they accomplished more than the sum of the parts could have.

We are made for community. Paul describes us as members or parts of one body – each made for a unique task. When we cast aside our differences and recognize each other various gifting, we too become more than the sum of our parts. There’s no greater satisfaction than when the Spirit in us unites with the Spirit in others (except of course uniting with Christ Himself.)

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor 12:27 NIV

Is it snowy where you are? Have any of these random thoughts connected with you?

Finishing Well

Posted on February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Freestyle skier Elizabeth Swaney has been both praised and maligned for competing in the S. Korean Olympics this week. She’s American by birth, is skiing for Hungary, and previously competed in skeleton for Venezuela. What makes her noteworthy?

She’s been called a terrible skier, certainly not Olympic caliber. No tricks in her programs. Viewers and commentators were dismayed as she sashayed back and forth through the half-pipe without a single jump, lift, or turn. How did she qualify for the Olympics?

Blame it on a lack of women freestyle skiers, and the fact that she didn’t fall. She paid her way. She showed up. And she finished. Not in first, second, or third place. But she finished without crashing.

Elizabeth Swaney exploited the lack of female half-pipe skiers, but also hopes to inspire more women athletes in Hungary. Suddenly the public has a new hero who proved that anyone can achieve their dream if they are aware and follow the rules.

I’m always upset when someone says an Olympian because they scored a silver or bronze medal. Shouldn’t they be praised that they are the better than all but one or two people in the entire world?

I’m so glad that God isn’t concerned with how fast we go or what style we display as we run our race of life. He will say “Well done, good and faithful servant,” if we don’t bury our talent, but invest it into kingdom work.

We are called to continue in the race, pressing on for the prize. Crossing the finish line and being welcomed into the Kingdom is worth more than any medal.

Today, Billy Graham died. His son, Franklin Graham, said, “My father was once asked, ‘Where is heaven?’ He said, ‘Heaven is where Jesus is and I am going to Him soon!’”

God isn’t going to ask us if we led thousands to the Lord. He only wants us to be faithful to what He has called us to, small or large, first or last place.

Olympic athletes today and 2000 years ago serve as living examples of what Paul said in his letter to the Philippians:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:12-14

In the race of life, we will have setbacks and disappointments. These are God’s tools to produce in us perseverance, character, and hope; patience; maturity; and godliness. (Rom. 5:3-4, 2 Cor. 1:6, James 1:4, 2 Peter 1:6)

A single mother lost her job. A family faces foreclosure. A wayward teen breaks his parent’s hearts. A middle-school student is bullied. All people I know. All so hard to live through. But in each of these situations, their testimonies reflect the glory of God. He strengthened their faith as they pressed on through these setbacks and disappointments.

“The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider Him who endured such opposition, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb. 12:1b-3

How do we run the race with perseverance? By focusing on Jesus and the joy He sets before us just as He endured the cross by focusing on the joy set before Him. And as we consider Him, He strengthens us so we will not grow weary and lose heart.

Beloved, what will you be considering today?

The Faith of Eagles

Posted on February 7, 2018February 7, 2018 by Susan Panzica

If ever there was biblical metaphor for the winning Super Bowl team, this is it.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Is. 40:31

And this was the year that a sports team demonstrated what true faith is. The team that mounted up like Eagles?? None other than the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now I’m a lifelong Giants fan. So for me to root for their division rival, the Eagles, was downright painful at first. But the more I heard about the Eagles, their young second-string quarterback, their underdog status, and most importantly, the faith of many of the teammates, the easier it was for me to root for them.

Often when a player thanks God after a victory, they thank God FOR the victory. With people praying for both teams, it’s prideful to think that God likes your team better and gave you the victory. In fact, I believe God usually works the other way – allowing gracious humility in defeat to demonstrate His loving character.

But this year, the victors were a team with many members dedicated to God. Their testimonies after the unexpected win did not thank God for the win. In each interview, the coach, the injured quarterback, the second-string quarterback, and many others ALL deflected praise and gave glory to God. They talked about their faith and their Bible studies (2x/week). They clearly stated their main purpose in life – to give glory to God and to make disciples. Everything else is secondary.

And that’s the lesson for us. We don’t have to know anything about professional sports to glean deep truths from these players. It’s God alone who deserves the glory. In victory or defeat, God is still God. Our sport, work, play, whatever, is merely a platform from which we can declare the glory of God.

Does this mean we can’t take pride in our accomplishments? Not at all.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Col 3:23-24

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58

There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that you have been faithful with whatever God has entrusted you. And there’s a difference between receiving appreciation vs. glory. Athletes and celebrities are frequently offered glory from their fans, and these players redirected all glory to God.

Win or lose, God still deserves all the glory.

For more on the faith of the Eagles team:

Superbowl champs use their faith to praise God

‘All the Glory Belongs to God’: The Faith of the Super Bowl-Winning Philadelphia Eagles

When God Turns Up The Heat

Posted on January 17, 2018January 17, 2018 by Susan Panzica

It’s a sad promise that we WILL go through the overwhelming waters and the burning fire. The verse above doesn’t say “if,” it says “when.” Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you WILL have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Fortunately, when we pass through the waters and the fire, the Lord promises to be with us and we will not be swept away or burned or in any way destroyed by the trials we experience.

Years ago at a Women of Faith conference, I heard Thelma Wells share a story. Her arm was severely burned, and at the hospital, she discovered that all her costume jewelry melted and was ruined, but her good jewelry was not. Her diamonds and gold were completely intact. Thelma stated it was because the “good jewelry was pure.”

Never one to leave a perfectly good illustration alone, I took it a step further and asked: WHY and HOW was the good jewelry pure?

Diamonds
Chemically, scientifically, a diamond is carbon – charcoal – a soft substance so easily destroyed in fire it is used for fuel. It’s black, dirty, and full of impurities. How does it become one of the clearest, and hardest substances on earth? Years and years and years of intense pressure. The pressure forces the impurities out of the carbon and makes the diamond into one of the most formidable and durable substances on earth.

Gold
When gold is mined from the earth, it looks nothing like the shiny jewelry we love. The process of refining gold requires heat, lots of it. The gold is melted into liquid, and the refiner skims away the impurities – the dross – that rises to the surface.

Malachi tells us, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.” Malachi 3:3

An old story goes ~ There were some passers-by watching the refiner sitting by his pot of gold hanging over the fire. They wondered how much heat the gold could endure without being destroyed, and so they asked the refiner. He responded,

“See how I sit by the fire?”

“Yes, of course, we see you.”

“Well, see how I bend over the pot, looking into it?”

“Yes, but how do you know how much heat that will allow the refining without destroying the gold?”

“I’ll know – when I see my own reflection.”

Our Refiner is always with us through whatever fiery trials we endure. We’re never alone. The flames did not set Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego ablaze. The Lord was with them in the fiery furnace. And He is close by watching carefully all that’s going on. Nothing surprises Him or occurs without His permission.

My Bible note on Isaiah 43:2 says, “Going through rivers of difficulty will either cause you to drown or force you to grow stronger. If you go in your own strength, you are more likely to drown. If you invite the Lord to go with you, He will protect you.”

But it’s more than that.

Yes, He is with us. And yes, He protects us as we go in His strength. But these fiery trials also can serve a purpose. He is producing His reflection in us as we patiently endure. Endurance produces maturity and Christ-likeness.

J.B. Phillips translates James 1:2-5 this way:

“When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence…”

It may seem impossible to welcome trials as friends. And to be honest, it probably is. But we can welcome the God who allowed them and be open to the mighty transforming work He will do in us and through us because of these difficulties.

Are you going through a fiery trial? How can I best pray for you, beloved?

End Injustice For All

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that slavery ended in 1865. Sadly, that is false. Human trafficking (aka modern day slavery) is the second largest and fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. In 2014, by Presidential Proclamation, January was declared National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. By definition:

Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery involving the use of force, fraud and/or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.
Human trafficking does not require movement of people across borders.
Human trafficking can be forced labor, sexual exploitation, or in the case of minors, sexual exploitation without the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that human trafficking occurs out of sight and/or in faraway places. Sadly, that is also false. It happens around the world, but it also happens in our backyards, our schools, our malls, our families. No one is exempt from risk.

And most people think (if they stop to think about it) that there is nothing they can do to stem the tide of human trafficking. This too is false.

As believers, we are mandated to seek justice for all.

… what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice,

and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Of the things that God requires , “doing justice” is in the top three!

Four years ago, I was just starting to learn what human trafficking is. From my story, Somebody’s Daughter, (published in Chicken Soup for the Soul) which tells of my journey into abolition work:

I knew so little about an issue that was so big. I was afraid and wondered what we could do. After all, there were just two of us. That phrase “just two of us” reminded me of a Bible story where the prophet Elisha and his servant were facing an army of evil-doers. The servant feared that there were just two of them, but the prophet answered, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16) I realized that even though there are 29.8 million caught in slavery, there are over 7 BILLION people in the world. And most of those people would be opposed to slavery. IF they knew about it. And if they knew what to do about it.

Since our humble beginning, we at Justice Network have our mandate: to raise awareness, work for prevention, support survivors, AND mostly – to let people know that they too can do something about it!

For example, coffee and chocolate are two industries that are notorious for using slave labor.

If everyone bought fair trade or slave free coffee/chocolate, the industry would only make slavery-free products. Look for the logo or visit our website that provides lists of all kinds of items that are produced slavery-free.

Of all people on earth, we the church should be the most proactive in spreading the word. Human trafficking is an abomination to the God who came to set the captives free.

Encourage your pastor to speak about trafficking this month. There is a wealth of information online including sample sermons and other resources. Visit global organizations like IJM or A21. Or seek out local resources like Justice Network or the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking in New Jersey.

Edmund Burke who famously said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” also said, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he would did nothing because he could only do a little.”

Do a little, my friends. Feel free to contact me for information. You can be the difference in someone’s life!

God’s Girl and the Christmas Story

Posted on December 20, 2017December 21, 2017 by Susan Panzica

With new technology, searching family ancestry is becoming increasingly popular. Many people, our family included, found a few surprises in their family trees.

And many people would be surprised to learn about some of the members of Jesus’ family tree. Matthew lists forty fathers, but he also includes five mothers, each one bringing an interesting mix to Jesus’ ancestry, people that would not be expected in a royal lineage.

Rahab is one unexpected woman in the line of Jesus.

Almost every time she is mentioned, her occupation is mentioned with her name. Rahab, the harlot. Rahab, the prostitute. How glad I am that there isn’t a “the ____” after my name! Aren’t you?

Her story in Joshua 2 and 6 dramatically tells the story of how she hid the Israeli spies in Jericho, setting the stage for the famous city wall drop.

In her conversation with the spies, she declares, “for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Because of her faith in the God of Israel, and because of the action she took in protecting the spies from the authorities in Jericho, she and her family were saved from destruction.

Rahab was a harlot, a sinner, but she was also a woman of faith. She demonstrated faith in action, and James uses her as an example when he declared that faith without works is dead. Her faith was alive and well. Paul says that we while are saved by grace through faith, that we are created to do good works.

Many people think that Rahab was saved because she hid the spies.

The truth is Rahab hid the spies because she was saved.

Rahab also beautifully demonstrates my favorite Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. It’s my favorite because of four words: “God and sinner reconciled.”

Reconciliation with God – that’s what Christmas is all about.

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. Col 1:19-20

Christmas isn’t so much about a weak swaddled baby in a manger. It’s about the bigger picture. Christmas is about the cross. And about the resurrection. The Gospels share only four chapters about Jesus’ birth compared to twenty-seven chapters about His last week on earth. We don’t know the date of Jesus’ birth, but we do know the exact date of His death.

The angels declaration to the shepherds echoed Rahab’s. “Glory to God IN THE HIGHEST… AND ON EARTH, peace, good will toward men!”

God in heaven, who the universe cannot contain, came to our tiny planet out of His great love for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

As we go about our days this week, it’s so easy to get caught up in the to-do’s, in relationship issues, in a host of things that steal our attention from the big picture. I pray that you will be able to keep your focus on the big picture and then you will experience the peace He came to bring.

Here is a link to my message which shares more about Rahab and her link to the Christmas story.

For a children’s book that tells the WHOLE Christmas story (including the cross and resurrection), please check out my book Mary had a little Lamb. The book also includes talking points and myth-busters for parents to make Christmas more meaningful. More resources are at www.maryhadalittlelamb.net.