What Do Your Scars Say?
Tuesday True Tale #69
If you look closely at my hands, you'll see some scars. Sixty-six-year-old hands are like that, especially when you are fond of power tools. My arms and legs have a few scars as well. Once in a while, one of my grandkids will see a scar and ask about it. I've never had to make up a story or say, "I don't remember what happened," because we usually do remember those wounds and how painful they were. Some wounds come from carelessness. Some have great purposes.
As believers, we are called to a battle that exposes us to harm; wounds are inevitable. The apostle Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith (I Timothy 6:12). Scripture assures us that being a believer brings us to a fight.
· 2 Timothy 2:4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.;
· Psalm 18:39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.
· Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand firm.
· 2 Timothy 2:3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
· John 16:33 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.”
When we choose Christ, we have chosen sides in a battle that has raged for centuries. The struggle against sin costs us. Becoming Christ-like costs us. Tearing away our old self is painful, and it costs us. The Spirit does spiritual surgery, separating the flesh from all that is new in us in Christ. It leaves scars. These are not physical scars but memories of difficult events, sacrifices, hurt, denials, grief, and suffering at the hands of the world. We are called to endure a painful, sacrificial metamorphosis to our ultimate renewal in Christ. That renewal was made possible by one ultimate sacrifice.
My granddaughter required open heart surgery when she was four months old. Her mom shared with me that it grieved her to look at the perfect, smooth skin of her infant daughter, knowing it would be "scarred for life," but she also knew that without the surgery, there may be no life to "scar." She had the surgery, it went well, and six weeks later, I was looking at her scar. The surgeon did an excellent job. The incision is straight and thin. Short of not having a scar, it could not look any better. Sixteen years from now, the scar will have faded, and my granddaughter won't remember anything. The pain, the purpose, and the fact that the surgery probably saved her life will be foreign to her. As a young woman, she may look at it and resent it. The scar could be a meaningless mark to her, but her parents will explain how necessary it was. She will learn that it was a difficult decision for them, but it was done because of their love for her. The scar is a permanent testimony of that love.
Being Christ's followers is more than following; it means fighting sin and the flesh, being changed, taught, tested, and strengthened. We may not always understand why, but the scars we receive testify to our love for Christ. The scars He received are a living testimony of his love for us.
Rejoice in your battle scars; they testify to your love for Christ.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed