Susan Panzica, Author at Susan Panzica

Can we agree if we disagree?

Posted on December 6, 2017December 6, 2017 by Susan Panzica

“What was that???”

Under the covers, my husband’s foot had just brushed against mine.

“That was my foot.”

“But… but… it…felt…like….. CLOTH…?”

“I’m wearing socks.”

“Huh?”

“Socks.”

He was absolutely perplexed that anyone would wear socks to bed. We had married in the heat of July. It was now September, and an autumn chill brought out the necessary socks for my perennially cold feet. He’s like a human radiator, and it was beyond his comprehension that anyone would wear socks under the covers.

It’s been 30 years, and he no longer wonders about my socks. He even requires me to wear them because he’s experienced how bone-chilling cold my feet can get, and he definitely doesn’t want to ever brush against them unless they’re snuggled inside socks!

How often do we assume that the way we see things is the same way everyone else does? Only to be surprised, even astonished, when people don’t see things the way we do.

My husband often tells the story of a young bride who always cut off the end of the roast before putting it in the pan. When her husband asked why she did it, she replied, “That’s how it’s done.” Since his mother never did that, they asked her mother why she cut off the end of the roast. Mom said that her mother had always done it. So they all went to grandma’s to ask the reason for cutting the roast. “Why, my dears, my pan was too small to fit the roast!”

How often do we assume that we know the right way to do something without considering that there might be another way?

We live in volatile times where people find it increasingly difficult to consider another’s point of view. Even as Christians, we can get tunnel vision unable to see a situation how others do, whether they are believers or not.

According to Scripture, our mandate is to live at peace with EVERYONE, whether they share our perspective or not.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Rom 12:18
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone. Heb. 12:14
Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor. 13:11

That means we need to listen before we speak. We need to try to comprehend other’s views, even if we disagree with them. We can agree to disagree agreeably.

Because Jesus came to die for them too.

As we prepare to celebrate His birth, let’s heed the angels’ words to bring peace on earth and extend good will toward men –and women ;D

Another assumption we often make at this time of year is that everyone knows the Christmas story. Well, they might know the popular characters, but do they know the real meaning of the story? Do they know they are reciting the holy Word of God when they sing Christmas carols?

My children’s book Mary had a little Lamb is not just for children. It’s an opportunity to share the gospel with someone who may not know the whole scriptural truth of why Jesus came and that God can speak to us today.

To purchase the book: http://amzn.to/2fJRX6r

For resources on making Advent and Christmas meaningful: http://susanpanzica.com/mary-had-a-little-lamb/resources/

Encouragement for the Discouraged

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Susan Panzica

A simple tag on Facebook caught my attention. A friend from many years ago posted a picture. It wasn’t a photo of me, but of her Bible that she had rebound after falling apart from years of use. She tagged me because my name was written in the margin.

Years ago, I co-led a Bible study for young single women like myself at the time. They were sweet times as we were all growing together in the Lord. Though the emotions remain strong, many of the details of those days are dim or lost memories.

I tend to forget that God is eternal and sovereign. He’s omniscient and infinite. And He can use us in ways that may have an impact long after we’ve forgotten.

In dry times, I find myself in despair over my value and usefulness to God. I feel uninspired and unable to encourage others. And I think I’m the only one who feels that way.

But I’m not, am I?

We all feel that way sometimes. Sometimes for long times. Many of God’s most faithful servants in the Bible felt that way too.

After his great victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah ran away in despair following a threat from Queen Jezebel.
Though deeply loved by her husband, Hannah wept over her barrenness so much so that the priest Eli thought she was drunk.
Despite being revered by his people, David cried out to the Lord so often while running for his life from Saul that the book of Psalms is the largest book in Scripture.

The enemy of our souls wants us to keep the dark times in the forefront of our minds rather than the fruitful blessed ones. But like Joseph who stored up during the 7 years of plenty to provide for the 7 years of drought, we need to cherish those fruitful times to sustain us for the dry seasons ahead.

Some thoughts for the dry season:

The Serenity Prayer says – God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. We first must distinguish between those circumstances we can change from those we cannot, take action where we can, but begin to learn that the non-changeables in our lives are allowed by God for a reason and for our benefit.
Is your God bigger than your circumstances? Ruminate on His promises, both those fulfilled and yet-to-be fulfilled.
Forget AND remember. The prophet Isaiah tells us to do both:
- “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Is. 43:18-19
- “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.” Isaiah 46:9

I find myself remembering things that have little value, hurtful things, foolish things, things that should be long forgotten. These are the things that Isaiah says to forget – “do not dwell in the past.” In Paul’s description of the race of life, these things are weights that drag us down and keep us from pressing on toward the goal. What we are to dwell on, to remember, is the One who redeemed us when we were unworthy, the One who sustained us when we couldn’t go on, the One who grants us peace beyond understanding, the One who loves us unconditionally – whether we feel it or not.

Beloved, I pray that these words encourage you today. How can I pray for you?

Rumble Strips – Yay or Nay?

Posted on November 15, 2017November 29, 2017 by Susan Panzica

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRM……

The rubber of my tire grazed the center yellow line, and the sound and vibration rocked me in my seat. Instantly we were back in the proper lane. Rumble strips have been appearing on roadways all over my county. These deep indentations in the yellow divider lines effectually warn drivers that they are veering into oncoming traffic.

“That’s a good warning for drivers who are texting or drowsy!” My husband and I agreed.

When we mentioned rumble strips to my sister-in-law, she said, “I HATE those things!!” To turn onto her street, it’s necessary for the car to run over the strip. Every time.

But when we explained how useful they can be for driving safety, she softened. She still would like the one by her street to be shortened, but she could see how helpful they could be in preventing accidents.

God has rumble strips too!

It’s called the Word of God. In it, He is clear on attitudes and activities that would lead us into harm’s way. When we stray over the line of His protection, we are vulnerable to injury or destruction.

God’s rumble strips include:

Discipline – When we have attitudes or behaviors that displease the Lord, it is because of His kindness and great love for us that He lets us reap the consequences of what we’ve sown and hopefully we’ll learn from the experience.

“God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12: 10-11

Boundaries – We want what we want when we want it, don’t we? But what we want isn’t always good for us. So God places boundaries protecting us from ourselves. We may balk at these boundaries, but try to remember that they are for our protection. Boundaries serve to help us develop self-control and responsibility for our own lives. Adam and Eve had everything with one exception, and it was that one boundary that the enemy used to tempt them.

God’s grace “teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:12

Christlikeness – Jesus set an example for us to follow when He allowed Himself to be subject to limitations. He was God incarnate, yet He “did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”(Phil 2:6-8) When we surrender our need to control to His will for our lives, we develop into His image. Our thoughts begin to conform to His and we become transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2).

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,” 1 John 5:3

We may hate rumble strips, both physical and spiritual, but when we embrace their purpose, we partner with God and set a course for a safe and fruitful journey!

www.susanpanzica.com

The Multiplication Factor

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Susan Panzica

I’m an accidental abolitionist. At this point in my empty-nester life, I thought I’d be winding down from work and from ministry, but I find myself busier than ever. What began as a passing interest has multiplied into a ministry that has had a global reach.

I’m not quite sure how it happened or exactly when it started. More like snippets of awareness than a thunderbolt awakening. Then one day, in response to a friend’s facebook post on the slavery issue, I reached out. It was a small act that would quickly reap big consequences. I discovered that one little step in faith is the beginning of a journey where God provides the increase.

I contacted the friend who wrote the facebook post. The two of us met, and decided on a course of action – to show a movie about human trafficking. We both thought that that would be both the beginning and the end of it. But God had other plans.

In the days that followed, I casually mentioned my new endeavor to selected friends and family. With each discussion, my boldness and excitement grew because each person in one way or another said almost the same thing – “I was looking for a way to get involved in this, but didn’t know what to do.” Just like me!

In less than two months, our group grew from two to twenty-two! Within this diverse group, we had people of different ages and from all walks of life and occupations. I began to fancifully imagine what Noah must have felt like when the animals came to him without his having to seek them out, knock on their doors, persuade them of the importance of coming on board.

We gave our group a name –Justice Network, developed a website, a mission statement, and a plan of action. Not long after the movie, we created a social media campaign for the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking, using the NJ Super Bowl to raise awareness about human trafficking. This campaign, called the #HTChallenge, had a global reach of over 6 million, and it continues to grow. God took our offering and multiplied beyond anything we imagined. (Eph. 3:20)

2000 years ago, when a huge, hungry crowd waited to hear Jesus speak, He fed them all by taking a young boy’s lunch, giving thanks, and multiplying two fish and five loaves. I find it interesting that afterwards, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of broken leftovers, one basket for each disciple to hold in his hands – a physical manifestation of the great miracle of multiplication.

Just like the young boy who offered his fish and loaves, God will multiply that which is freely surrendered for the benefit of others.

To be honest, not all the original members of our group are still involved. Some went on to other pursuits, and we’ve had new people join. I tend to get discouraged when I see numbers dwindling or it seems that people aren’t actively engaged. And God reminds me that long before the animals miraculously came to him, Noah spent many years, tirelessly working, preparing for rain, obeying everything God commanded him. (Gen. 6:22)

I believe that God allowed our ministry to multiply as it did as a testimony of what He can do with what is surrendered to Him. And remembering what He has done encourages me to keep stepping forward in faith.

October marked our 4 year anniversary. We continue to meet monthly and have witnessed God repeatedly multiply what we offer Him. This month, we are hosting our annual Justice Rocks. For more information about human trafficking and what you can do in the fight against it, please visit our website www.justice-network.org.

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR EVENT – JUSTICE ROCKS! THERE WILL BE A GREAT BAND UPSTAIRS AND 14 FAIR TRADE VENDORS DOWNSTAIRS, ALL WITH WONDERFUL ETHICALLY PRODUCED ITEMS. AND FREE BEN&JERRY’S ICE CREAM!!! WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?

FOR MORE INFO, CLICK HERE.

Make a joyful noise!

Posted on October 18, 2017October 20, 2017 by Susan Panzica

He: “You should sing tenor.”

Me: “Tenor??”

He: “Yeah. Ten or twenty feet away.”

True story. Said to me by a guy. At church! Yup!

Funny? Maybe to some. But it’s nothing I haven’t heard or said to myself.

Me: “I sing solo.”

Me: “So low you can’t hear me.”

My worship-leader-husband often walks into the kitchen as I’m happily singing away while meandering from frig to sink to counter to oven. Shaking his head, out of the side of his mouth, he whispers, “Don’t sing.”

He’s worried that the kids will hear my voice and learn everything off key.

So I stopped singing.

But only for a while.

I just can’t help it. I always have a song in my head, one earworm a day. Often it’s “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman, but I’m not limited. No sir! Whatever God lays on my heart in the morning repeats itself throughout the day, all day long.

I don’t sing loud (unless I’m alone in my car), but I do sing pretty constantly.

My kids are grown now, and thankfully, they inherited their dad’s musical abilities. Every vacation and most holidays require a “Fam Jam” where we play an original song, a familiar song, a reworded or reworked song, or some combination thereof. My job? Nodding my head and hitting a djembe, a maraca, or some sort of drum to the proper beat. Occasionally I’m allowed to lip-sync, but frankly, that’s too much pressure for me.

Fortunately, I live by the credo:

God doesn’t ask us to sing on key. He says “Make a joyful noise.”

Nowhere in Scripture does it say you need musical skills to sing to the Lord. But in several places, it commands us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalms 66:1; 95:1–2; 100:1; 1 Chronicles 15:16).

God wants us to find such joy and excitement in Him that we cannot contain it. Ephesians 5:18–19 instructs us to “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, singing to Him organically flows in and through us. Musical talent has nothing to do with it.

My singing may not be joyful to anyone in earshot, but it’s perfectly joyful to me.

And I believe that it is to God too – who hears it in perfect pitch.

What’s your favorite song to sing all day long?
Be sure to click on the FAM JAM link for a smile and a taste of my Christmas book set to soulful song.

PS – Many thanks to Barbara Higby and the North Jersey Christian Writers Group for the inspiration ;D

The Taming of the Tongue

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Susan Panzica

On Sunday, my pastor shared a message titled How Do You Speak. In it, he rightly challenged us to use our words for good and not for evil.

How easy it is for us to quickly shoot off our mouth only to leave destruction in its wake. Yet the tongue can also be an instrument of great blessing and encouragement.

I’ve been guilty of both.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12

A modern day extension of our tongue is our social media. How often people post things that even their tongue wouldn’t say. With our nation more polarized than ever, it’s easy to find like-minded people who further inflame our words.

We must exercise caution with our words, being quick to listen but slow to speak and become angry. As James said, the tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet like a tiny rudder controls a ship, so the tongue controls us.

But I think we can all agree that it isn’t easy to control the tongue. Even James says, “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

So what can we do?

I’ve decided that in addition to focusing on my tongue, I need to focus on my heart. Both Luke and Matthew say that it’s “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

If my heart isn’t right with God, then trying to control my tongue is like trying to put a lid on a volcano. At some point, all the fire inside will erupt and overflow causing hurt and harm to others and myself.

But if it is right with God, then the outpouring of my heart will represent the God who lives there.

When I’m tempted to spout off, it’s worth my time to stop and look at what’s going on inside my volcano. What is the reason that I’m so eager to mouth off? Is there something in me that needs to change? How does Jesus see this person that is frustrating me? How much does Jesus love him/her? As much as He loves me??? Well yes, He does.

So this person or situation is giving me an opportunity to grow in Christ-likeness. Can I lose my self-righteous anger and learn to love the way that Jesus does?

Since the tongue is a tiny spark that incites great blazes, can’t we use our tongue to fan the flame of love!

How to Love

Posted on September 20, 2017September 20, 2017 by Susan Panzica

A morsel drops on the floor, and no one runs to scarf it up.

Arriving home, there’s no furry friend waiting on the other side of the door.

Hearing a knock, I look to see if she wants to come inside, but it’s only the acorns thumping on the back porch door.

There are a million reminders.

This has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do –put a sick but very happy dog to sleep. I suppose it’ll get easier with time. I’m clinging to the Dr. Suess quote: “Don’t cry that it’s over. Smile that it happened.”

Roxie was a family member, and she impacted us in ways that we’re still growing to appreciate.

A dog’s unconditional love is a rare treasure on earth. I don’t think I fully appreciated it until I lost it.

Roxie inspired several of my blogposts over the years. And so today, she is inspiring one more – a post about unconditional love.

My husband jokes about her unconditional love in one of his life lessons from the garden about the Three Types of Love. “You put your wife and your dog in the car trunk and drive around for an hour. When you open the trunk, which one jumps out and gives you a big fat kiss?”

Unconditional love is the way dogs and Jesus love. Humans, not so much.

Our love often comes with conditions. We love more when the object of our love does things we like – a call or visit, an unexpected gift, support when we need it, etc. If we are hurt by someone, our instinct is to strike back or to hold a grudge.

Not so with a dog. They don’t judge or withhold affection. They want nothing more than to please us. They don’t care if we’re fat or thin, beautiful or homely, popular or not. What they do care about is their devotion to us.

And eating.

OK, gotta be honest – Roxie loved to eat almost as much as she loved us.

But eating aside, she greeted everyone who came to our house with pure love. No one was a stranger to her.

Well, except other dogs.

She wanted no part of other dogs. She thought she was a person – so much so that if we lingered at the kitchen table after eating, she demanded a seat at the table to be part of the discussion.

My daughter said she had no concept of personal space. Wherever we were, she was there in the midst of us.

That reminds me of Someone else.

If Roxie embodied unconditional love and an ever-present-presence, then Jesus does even more so.

With Roxie, there were no “IF/THEN” love qualifications – “IF you do this, THEN I’ll love you.” We didn’t need to be perfect or worthy of her love. She just loved us.

And that is how Jesus loves us. Wholly, unequivocally, passionately, unconditionally.

We can’t earn His love. And nothing we do can diminish His love for us. There are no “If you do this, then I’ll love you.” He’s more like, “I love you. Period.” But because of His great love for us, we are inspired to follow His example. To love others without condition. To serve with enthusiasm. To represent Jesus and the abundant life He provides us to others.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1

Lavish love!

Lavish means “using or giving in great amounts.” He loves us lavishly, beyond measure.

Let us love with the love that we have received!

Some of my favorite Roxie posts include:

Can there be a purpose for fear?

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Susan Panzica

Fear is one of the enemy’s favorite tools. It affects everyone. And it can affect any area of our lives. Are we a good enough as a mom, wife, friend? How about as an employee or employer? Are we up to the task? What about our dream goals? Do we even have dreams or are we too afraid to think about them? Are there worries, even legimate causes for concern, that totally consume our minds? Fear has us focus on whatever will take our eyes off God – our weaknesses, other’s strengths.

After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid in fear. God’s question to them was “Who told you….?” He hadn’t told them to be fearful or ashamed. They were listening to the voice of their enemy.

All that God asks of us is to be obedient. To seek, to love, to serve Him and His people. When our eyes are squarely on Him, our fears fade in His light.

Years ago, I had a strange experience. I was to speak before a crowd of fellow employees at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Every cell in my body trembled in fear. I had asked for prayer from trusted friends, telling them my teaching session would begin Wednesday at 8:00 am. It was Wednesday at 7:55, and as I drifted to the podium, I was so filled with fear I wondered how I’d be able to utter a single word.

Then something weird occurred. Really weird. It all happened in a moment. I felt a tingling on my scalp, like when someone pretends to crack an egg on your head. The tingle moved down from my head past my shoulders, past my arms and torso, down my legs, and out my feet – much like a thermometer with a pinhole in the bulb and the red liquid leaking out the bottom. The tingle was fear, and the feeling was so tangible that as it left my body, I looked down because I thought I’d see a puddle of fear on the floor. All I saw were large black and white tiles. As my eyes swept back up, they glimpsed the wall clock – which read exactly 8:00 sharp. In that instant, I simultaneously remembered 3 things –

my praying friends
my specific mention of 8:00am to them
and the Scripture verse that says, “Perfect love casts out fear.”

God is perfect love, and He supernaturally removed my fear.

I’d like to say that ever since that time, I have never experienced fear. But that would be a lie. What I do know is this – He CAN supernaturally remove my fear – IF HE WANTS TO. So if He doesn’t, it means that the fear is there for a reason – most likely, so that I keep tethered to Him, focused on Him, in communion with Him, dependent upon Him rather than myself.

All the fear and self-doubt that’s so prevalent and so destructive is just a tool in Satan’s arsenal, seeking to hinder the work of God. If only we can just remember that while we do have weaknesses, it’s in our weakness that He is strong. When we think we have it all together, we are at our weakest point. But when imperfect people do amazing things, God gets all the glory.

Let’s face today, and be amazing!

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear… 1 John 4:18

When it’s just too hard

Posted on August 16, 2017August 16, 2017 by Susan Panzica

Another email from our friend “B” bearing horrific news.

B is a pastor in Nepal. He and his wife run an incredible ministry in Nepal raising awareness about human trafficking and traveling the country empowering women by encouraging mothers to form support groups and become advocates for their daughters in their communities.

We at Justice Network have been honored to support them both prayerfully and financially. And we get updates with their prayer requests.

Sadly, many of their reports have been one monstrous calamity after another. Of course, you know about the earthquake of 2015. Since then, they experienced a mud slide causing the destruction of a school, periodic flooding, illnesses, and most recently massive nationwide flooding.

After the mud slide that broke the wall of the school killing several students, injuring others physically and all of them emotionally, I was completely undone. It’s hard to understand why some people seem to experience the lion-share of suffering.

Then this week, another disaster, the nationwide flood from continuous rainfall for two days. I’ll spare you the horrendous photos of dead children covered in mud. But once again, I was grieved to my core.

I was at a total loss for words, which if you know me is a rare occasion indeed. I went to Romans 8 for the verse that reads, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26)

And then, in the same paragraph, there it was, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

To see these verses coupled in one passage brought new meaning to each of the two familiar verses. When we are so devastated that we can’t pray and the Spirit intercedes for us, God is still on the job, working ALL things together for GOOD.

We may not see the good now, but we can trust the One who can.

A half hour later, I opened my Bible app on my phone. The verse of the day:

I’m so thankful for God who not only speaks to us, but confirms it despite my weak faith.

B and his family and community live in a communion with God that I can barely fathom. They trust Him for EVERYthing. As my friend Christina said, “I always wonder to myself how different their spiritual experience must be from ours.”

The comforts of living in the US can be a blessing, but also can reduce our dependence on God. It’s been said that that nothing improves our prayer life faster than big trouble. So that’s one way that God gets our attention.

People love to quote Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” But this verse was written to people in exile. It would be seventy years before this promise would be fulfilled! Until then, the Israelites in captivity were to seek the Lord with all their heart. Only then would He be found by them and they would be restored. (Jer. 29:12-14)

My challenge to you and to myself is to continue to call upon the Lord, to seek Him with all your heart, in all circumstances, both blessed and broken.

“…call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:12-13

If you would like to financially support B and New Light Nepal, visit Justice Network’s Donate page. You can donate via check or credit card. Please add “Nepal” in a note on PayPal or memo in a check. And thank you in advance. Their need is very great, but even small donations go a long way.

The 6 Most Valuable Words

Posted on August 2, 2017August 2, 2017 by Susan Panzica

For years, I longed to ride a motorcycle. Finally last autumn, I signed up for the Motorcycle Riding Academy.

The first part of the first day was spent in the classroom with video and personal instruction. The rest of the time we put that instruction into practice out on “the range.” Our teachers shared many important pieces of advice, but perhaps the most essential six words of advice were: “Look where you want to go.”

There is a unique connection between vehicle and driver. You can experience this connection to a much lesser degree when driving a car. But on two motorized wheels, there is no margin for error. This skill honestly can be a factor of life and death. You will drive exactly where you are looking. If you look at a tree hoping to miss it, you will inadvertently drive right toward it.

Now at every corner, I force myself to look past the curve down the road to where I want to be. If I stare at the road ahead of my front tire, it is exponentially more difficult to make the turn correctly and end up in the proper place in the lane. I know – I’ve ended up making turns much more dangerous than they needed to be just because I wasn’t looking ahead to where I wanted to go.

This advice, so critical for motorcycle safety, is also crucial for life. Where and what we focus on determines where we are going. <<click to tweet>>

When we’ve been let down in life, we can focus on the disappointments as if they’d change by our replaying them in our minds. We can look at the inequities we or others face in life and grow bitter that there appears to be no justice. We can concentrate on the irregular people in our lives and wish them harm or at least what we think they deserve.

But is that where we want to go? Do we want to become like those who have hurt us? Do we want to develop resentment or bitterness?

Or do we want to develop Christ-likeness? Do we want to respond as Jesus would? Do we want to be free from the burden of worldly attitudes which drag us down?

Life will hand you curves in the road. That’s guaranteed. Jesus said,

“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 16:33

His promise of tribulation is sandwiched between His offer of peace and His assurance of overcoming the world. When we focus on the tribulation, we miss His peace and are overcome BY the world.

The key is those six words: Look where you want to be. Stop focusing on what is right in front of you; enlarge your perspective to the bigger eternal picture; and focus on what Jesus is doing in you through these difficult situations.

“… 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

Are you struggling with circumstances that test your faith? Know that these trials can be tools God uses to bring you to completeness and maturity when you keep your focus on Him. And keep looking at your goal – where and who you want to be.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Heb. 12:2 MSG

I’ll close with a quote from an article from Revzilla, a motorcycle accessory shop:

“Look where you want to go” means keeping your gaze on the real prize, the big goals you want to achieve during your finite time on this sphere. Staring at the spot just ahead of your front tire, either literally or metaphorically, ensures you won’t be ready for the next curve life throws at you.