Panama Holiday Week

Posted on Nov 7, 2015 in Pastor's Corner |

2015-11-08 Pastor's Corner
Being here for two years now, we’ve become aware that Panama takes its holidays very seriously. This concerned me since I had to go into the city this past Tuesday. There was really no need for concern … because the city had come to the beaches. Corridor Norte on the way to the airport was empty. Only when we returned did we run into the streams of humanity emptying from Coronado, Gorgona and up the coast. November is packed with people and celebrations!

2nd – All Soul’s Day or Day of the Dead

3rd – Separation from Columbia

4th – Flag Day

5th – Colon Day

10th – First Call for Independence from Spain

28th – Independence from Spain

I’m sure it will be a while before I start to grasp the significance of all of these dates. But something simple struck me … November is a month that begins with death followed by multiple celebrations of freedom. It made me think of the progression of my own life.

Colossians 2 says that once I was dead in my sins. But then God made me alive with Christ and forgave all my sins. In the liberation movement of all ages, He disarmed the powers and authorities that had ruled and dominated my life and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross!  John 8:36 says, “If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!” This is the supreme story of death followed by a life of freedom … and it’s worth celebrating!

 

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