encouragement Archives - Susan Panzica

When you don’t know what you have…

Posted on October 26, 2021October 27, 2021 by Susan Panzica

“Can you help me figure out how to watch HBO Max on my TV?” my sister-in-law asked. “I got an email that said it’s now included in my plan, but I can’t find it on the TV.” She went on to tell me how she watched movies on Amazon Prime on her iPad, but was hoping to watch movies on the big screen through this new app.

After the first challenge of figuring out which remote control to use, we located the never before seen apps section of her TV. When I saw a brown square that said Amazon, I clicked. And lo and behold, there was her Amazon Prime account! Hundreds of movies and TV shows at her fingertips. All the time she had been viewing her little 9” screen, she could have been watching in living technicolor on a massive 65” screen. After a required SMH (shaking my head) moment, she was thrilled to discover an option she already had in her possession, but never knew.

And how often, do we settle for crumbs when we have great treasure in our possession? <<clicktotweet>> How often are we satisfied with a little awareness of God when the Almighty creator of the universe dwells in us with power beyond our imagination? How often are we content to sip slowly from a puddle when a torrent of Living Water floods our beings. How often are we perplexed as we focus on the troubles of this world when there’s an inexhaustible supply of eternal grace and peace that God wants us to freely access.

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul asks, “Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you.” (1 Cor. 6:19). In his second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 13:5), he goes on to say, “do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?” When Paul writes these words, he means that Jesus was literally dwelling within them. And just like the Corinthians, we believers today need to understand this about ourselves. The Lord isn’t an outside helper we beckon to help us. He is a font that wells up within us to provide the power, peace, and perspective we need.

God’s power within us is beyond our comprehension, but not beyond our possession. <<clicktotweet>> Eph. 3:20 assures us that He is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

We’ve all heard stories of people finding an old painting in their garage that in reality was a valuable masterpiece. They didn’t know what they had. Or others who have valuable china pieces buried in a closet. They know they’re there, but they don’t bother to open the door, and so the treasure remains unused, collecting dust.

Let us not be like Jacob, who after experiencing the dream of the ladder to heaven, woke up and said, “Surely God was in this place, and I did not know it.”

It’s time to breathe deep and connect with the treasure within. To look deeper than the top of the iceberg to the mass below the surface. To realize what power we already possess instead of settling for less than best.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor. 4:7

Are you asking God for something you already have?

How can you live out of your treasure instead of seeking it?

Take a breath. Breathe in God’s name, and breathe out your prayer request. Let God know how you’re feeling, and breathe in His peace.
Let Google be your friend – search for the unconditional promises of God. Print out or write them on index cards. Memorize one or more. Let each one serve as a reminder that you don’t have to ask God for what He has already given you.
Let music soothe your soul. Find a playlist or create your own.

What tips do you have? Leave a comment – I’d love to read them!

So Will I

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Susan Panzica

I’m dating myself here, but when I was a kid, I had picture books with clear plastic pages that lifted up to reveal another picture underneath – a picture that might depict a skeleton or cells or the blueprint of something for which the exterior image was on the plastic page. Remember those?

Well, tonight I experienced something like that in real life.

I attended a Hillsong United concert in Madison Square Garden, NYC. The arena was filled to capacity. My gaze swept over the crowds. Along the mid-level were gaping exits to the concourse. And I had a flashback to my visit to the Coliseum in Rome. It was as if a page lifted, and I saw the crumbling ruins.

And my imagination took me 2000 years back in history when our Christian forebears were thrown to the lions in front of cheering crowds. My chest tightened and tears wet my cheeks. Throughout the night, I thought of those saints of old – the ones thrown to the lions, others burned alive, those who fled Jerusalem’s persecution to bring the gospel to the rest of the known world. Their faith and courage both inspired me and convicted me.

Today, I have friends in Nepal who are facing incredible persecution. In September 2018, new legislation outlawed sharing their faith. Aimed at Christians, these dear believers are witnessing increasing persecution at their gatherings. I receive cryptic private emails filled with miracles of God’s protection as they continue to share their stories, yet their lives are in danger every day. Their faith and courage inspires me daily and convicts me as well.

Too often, I take my freedom for granted. Tonight in the middle of New York City, 20,000 mouths sang praises to God, 40,000 hands were raised in worship, all without a thought of danger of any kind. I’m so grateful we live in a country where we can enjoy the freedom of faith our American forebears fought for.

And yet, with this freedom comes complacency. Forget about being willing to die for my faith. Or worse, letting a loved one die if I refused to deny Jesus. How about just being willing to boldly share the gospel and risk offending someone or experiencing ridicule? How often do I keep silent to keep the peace? I don’t believe that we need to necessarily share our faith with everyone. Like pearls before swine, some aren’t able to recognize its value (Matt.7:6). But I know that there are times that I remained silent when I shouldn’t have. My desire to be obedient is beautifully captured in the song we sang tonight, So Will I. (link and lyrics excerpt below)

Let’s be inspired by the courage of the saints of old and those in places around the world where persecution is prevalent. And let’s appreciate the abundant freedoms we have.

“For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

‘He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.’

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:19-23

So Will I – by Hillsong Worship

If creation still obeys You so will I
If the stars were made to worship so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high so will I
If the wind goes where You send it so will I
If the rocks cry out in silence so will I

If You gladly chose surrender so will I
I can see Your heart, Eight billion different ways
Every precious one, A child You died to save
If You gave Your life to love them so will I

More on how to discern when to speak and when to keep silent: http://susanpanzica.com/to-speak-or-not-to-speak/

Famous Last Words – Part 2

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Susan Panzica

In Famous Last Words -Part 1, I shared about one of Jesus’s last statements, “Father forgive them”. Today, I share another insight from these same three words.

Christ died for us while we were still sinners, long before we ever repented or asked for forgiveness. He died for those still screaming, “Crucify him!” and He prayed:

“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

But it seems to me that they did know what they were doing, didn’t they? They were calling for His death. What they did not know was WHO they were doing it to, and WHAT His death would accomplish for them.

Is there someone in your life causing you pain? They may not be calling for your execution, but they are hurtful nevertheless. Consider this – that person is giving you an opportunity to develop Christ-likeness that you would not have otherwise.

If we can see the offensive person in our life as Jesus does, and if we can forgive them as He did, we will be freed from the bondage of resentment and bitterness and will become a little more like Jesus. Picture this: that painful person is giving us an incredible, life-changing, eternal opportunity!

I had such a person in my life. For years, this person repeatedly caused me untold anguish and grief. My hurt turned bitterness, and like an invisible tether, I was in bondage to the one who hurt me. It took a long time, but when I began to see that this person was actually a gift from God, my heart began to change. I was freed from the bondage of bitterness. I was able to see that person as God did, to pray unhindered by my resentment. I learned that I could forgive because “they did not know what they were doing.” That person gave me the gift of developing Christ-likeness.

Peter says, “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps… When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:20-23)

Years before Jesus hung on that cross and prayed for his persecutors, He said to the crowd at the Mount of Beatitudes, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.“ (Matt. 5:44) Did He know when He spoke those words that years later, with His dying breath, He would become that example, that He would demonstrate exactly what He was calling us to do?

But how is it possible in our human fraility and sinfulness, can we even begin to see our “enemies” as Jesus does?

The key is to shift perspective, to see the bigger picture. As Paul said, “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)

I pray that if you have a difficult person, you may begin to see them as Jesus does. And in so doing, you will be able to forgive, whether or not they have asked. And you will be able to look in the mirror and see a reflection of the One who made you.

God To Go!

Posted on March 6, 2019March 15, 2019 by Susan Panzica

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the 40 period leading up to Resurrection Sunday.

Throughout history, God has used 40-day periods to accomplish His purposes.

It rained for 40 daysdelivering Noah, his family and the animals from destruction.
For 40 days, Moses was on Mount Sinai, face to face with God, receiving the Ten Commandments.
The spies of the nation of Israel surveyed the promised land for40 days.
Jonah, in obedience, went to Ninevah proclaiming destruction in 40 days and inspired a revival in the sinful city.
Jesus spent 40 daysin the wilderness overcoming temptation before beginning His earthly ministry.
For 40 days, Jesus walked the earth after His resurrection, giving many “convincing proofs”, speaking of the kingdom of God, and birthing the early church.
Even in this century, Pastor Rick Warren influenced millions of people with his 40 dayplan in his bestseller book, The Purpose Driven Life.

For the past few days, I heard people mentioning what they would sacrifice during this 40 day period. No longer limited to fasting food, people are giving up social media or activities. Some friends aren’t giving up anything, but are adding specific acts of generosity and kindness to their 40 days.

And then there are those who are too busy to stop on one day to receive ashes, and for them, there’s:

Ashes-to-Go!

Yup, this morning, I heard that advertised on the radio. No need to stop by a house of worship. Just grab some ashes as you’re at your local coffee shop, train station, or street corner.

To be honest, my judgmental attitude got all up in the face of what I considered to be just short of an abomination.

It seemed to me that the purpose of Ash Wednesday for those who observe it is to stop, to rest, to contemplate, to step aside from the busyness.

My husband often remarks about the long lines at the Starbucks drive-thru’s. He says that the whole concept of Starbucks is to experience an atmosphere where people can gather and sip. The drive-thru’s are just short of an abomination.

But the Ashes-to-Go folks had this to say:

“Ashes to Go” is about bringing spirit, belief, and belonging out from behind church doors, and into the places where we go every day. It’s a simple event with deep meaning, drawing on centuries of tradition and worship to provide a contemporary moment of grace.

We take ashes to the street corner because that reminder of need, humility, and healing shouldn’t be confined to a church building. We probably need it more when we are in the middle of our daily business! The ashes we receive are to remind us throughout the day of our need for God, and of God’s call to us.

Now, I don’t want to get into denominations, traditions, liturgy, or any other church practice. I understand that for some getting ashes on a street corner may just be a habit without meaning, a going through the motions without emotion or depth of conviction. But for some, it provides an opportunity to connect with God right where they are.

Jesus didn’t camp out in pews. He went where the people were. And bringing Jesus out of the church and into the community is an idea I totally support.

It’s not my job to judge. I’ll leave that for God to sort out.

And that’s was my Ash Wednesday lesson today.

What do you think?

My word for 2019 – and beyond!

Posted on January 2, 2019January 3, 2019 by Susan Panzica

Do you follow the One Word trend? I did for several years, but skipped last year. And I wasn’t planning to select a word this year either. And then, my word found me.

On Sunday morning. Fixing my hair while getting ready for church. Just an “ordinary” day. And a word pierced my consciousness.

DISCIPLINE.

But not with a sense of punishment or penalty or will-power. No this time, it was coupled with the word:

DISCIPLE.

Disciple as in “follower of Jesus.” I meditated on that for a while and did a bit of research.

According to Webster’s: “the root and meanings of discipline comes from discipulus, the Latin word for pupil, which also provided the source of the word disciple (albeit by way of a Late Latin sense-shift to ‘a follower of Jesus Christ in his lifetime’).”

DISCIPLINE and DISCIPLE come from the same root word – meaning pupil, learner, follower.

I tend to meander through life like a tumbleweed. So easily distracted, often letting circumstances and surroundings dictate my choices and actions. I know I need discipline, but trying in my own strength is (and has been) a sure prescription for failure.

However, being a follower of Christ, His pupil, letting Him lead and guide me into discipline rather than operating in my flesh’s will power – now that spoke to me in my deepest being.

Wikipedia may not be the most reliable sources, but I found this interesting – and true: “In Christianity, disciple primarily refers to a dedicated follower of Jesus. This term is found in the New Testament only in the Gospels and Acts. In the ancient world, a disciple is a follower or adherent of a teacher. It is not the same as being a student in the modern sense. A disciple in the ancient biblical world actively imitated both the life and teaching of the master. It was a deliberate apprenticeship which made the fully formed disciple a living copy of the master.” (emphasis mine)

Oh to be a fully formed disciple, a living copy of Jesus!

I don’t expect an overnight change. But I learned to be consistent when disciplining my young children, and so I trust that as I consistently heed Jesus throughout my day, day after day, His likeness will grow in me.

^“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:15

^“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Do you have a word for the year? Let’s talk about it! Leave your word in the comments.

ps – Previous one-words for me include: Now, Faithfulness, Obey, Purpose., Worship.

Are you seeing – Or looking??

Posted on September 19, 2018September 19, 2018 by Susan Panzica

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

Acts 3:3-8

In the passage from Acts, we read about a lame beggar laying outside the temple gate called Beautiful. I find it interesting that Scripture says that the man “saw” Peter and John, yet Peter replied, “Look at us!” If the man saw them, even asked for money, why did Peter tell him to look at them?

When the man asked Peter and John for money, it doesn’t say they “saw” the man. It says that Peter and John “looked at him intently.”

There’s a difference between “seeing” and “looking.”

SEEING = the process of observing, involuntary, passive
LOOKING = conscious consideration, active interpretation (the bigger picture)

Seeing is something we do without thought. It’s what our eye sees without trying, a process of observing the world around us in an arbitrary way as we go about our daily lives.

Looking is like squinting at life to actively make meaning of that world with a more involved sense of purpose and direction.

The lame man saw Peter and John as a chance to receive what he WANTED.

Peter and John looked at him and gave him what he NEEDED.

The lame man was correct in EXPECTING to receive SOMETHING from them. But he received so much more than the monetary donation he would have been satisfied with!

Many of us haven’t even come to the place where we really expect something from God. This is FAITH. We should expect the right things from God. We are so often willing to settle for much less than God wants to give us, and our low expectations rob us.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:9-10

The people were filled with wonder and amazement!

WONDER = awe felt in the presence of divine activity
AMAZEMENT= the state of being lifted out of one’s habitual life & thought by encountering the power of God

When was the last time you were filled with wonder and amazement at the work of God in your life or someone elses? Can we be lifted out our OUR habitual life and thought by encountering the power of God?

Can we stop seeing and start looking!

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.

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?