Scars
Going through the trials I have experienced through out my life has shown me not that I am special and deserve any recognition or attention because of what I have faced, but rather that everyone has a story. Everyone has experienced pain and dissappointment. Everyone has scars. We are all broken and we are all fallen. We are all in need of a Comforter.
Why does God allow us to be scarred? That could be answered with another question- Why did God allow Christ to be scarred? Christ was scarred to bring us to God, we are scarred and through that God can draw us to Himself and conform us into His image. He doesn't cause the scar and He doesn't delight in the scar, but He redeems them by displaying His comfort and power.
It is interesting that the Coming of the Kingdom we read about in Luke 17 was brought about by suffering. Christ's work was fulfilled through suffering. Our redemption came because of the intense suffering of a man, Jesus. In vs.25 we see this, "First the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation." Suffering and rejection are what usher in the Kingdom of God! That truth washes the syrup off of modern Christian 'religion.'
This does not mean we need to go seeking suffering, rest assured that in time, suffering will come and you will be able to chose whether you allow God to use it in your life to conform you or not. 1 Peter 6-7, "So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."
The trial, the wound, is there to confrom us into the image of Christ. Part of Christ's image is His scars. He is recognized and identified by His scars, John 20:27, "Then Jesus said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!'." The scars Christ bears in essence sum up His whole being and purpose. It's all there in the scars: the evidence is in the scars, the proof is in the scars.
I find it amazing that the hand sign the deaf use to signify Jesus is pointing into the palm of each hand, back and forth. This is a symbol of pointing to the scars. This is how the American Sign Language identifies Christ- by His scars. Oh the power and beauty of the scars, that we might know and behold the wonder and majesty of it all!!!
As I have been begging God to be more like Christ and conformed into His image, I recently had the revelation that the scars are a vital part of this. My scars are a way I can identify with Christ and He with me. The scars are a way I am made more like Him, they are a way through which I can reflect Him.
Christ was redeemed and raised to life by way of the scars. I am redeemed and given abundant life- a fuller, richer life- by way of the scars for through them I am being conformed into the image of Christ. Because of the scars, His and mine, I can take comfort in knowing Him more intimately because we walk the same road.
Christ is my life-mate sharing each experience with me, guiding me along roads unknown, roads never intended to be traveled alone. They are winding and intimidating apart from Him, but with the gentle guiding of His scarred hand within mine theyare refining and rewarding- for they lead to His throne, His glory and His presence. They lead to greater knowledge and fellowship; to more of Him.
So you see, this is how one can rejoice and take delight in the scars. They are beautiful. They are image bearers. I love to hear little boys (and sometimes not so little boys) showing off their scars to their friends as if they were each badges of courage. They take delight in their scars and are respected for each scar reflecting a deeper larger wound than the next. There is truth behind this, reason behind this.
Christ bears His scars, they are badges of love and badges of courage. We have our wounds, some of these wounds are still in the process of becoming scars. Remember the scars of Christ and take delight in His badges of love. Let your scars become something that draws you closer to Him. Let is be used to conform you into His image. Let it be a way you reflect Him and His beauty and character.
James 1:2-4, "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an oppurtunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for ANYTHING."
posted by Kellie # 1:20 PM
