The Beauty of Scars
by
Most people photoshop away their scars. When people ask how they are, they usually say “fine.” Life should be enjoyable and fun. The "success virus" has people in its grip. But God prefers vulnerability.
Jesus appeared to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, but they did not recognise Him. He explained to them that he had to suffer, that it had been foretold by the prophets. At their insistence, He went with them to their house. He took the bread and broke it. When He broke the bread, their eyes were opened and they recognised Him. Perhaps it was then that they saw the scars on His hands.
He also appeared especially to Thomas, who had said, ‘I will not believe unless I put my finger into the nail marks and my hand into His side.’ When Jesus appeared to him, Thomas no longer needed to feel. He then stammered, ‘My Lord and my God.’
After His resurrection Jesus showed His scars. He was not ashamed of them. Through His suffering, we are redeemed. His scars were His testimony, a testimony of suffering for us.
We often try to hide our scars. But we don't have to hide our scars and our suffering. It's okay to show them. Jesus sees them. Come with brokenness. Let your scars be your testimony. For Jesus' scars are the power of His suffering for us. He carried our pain, our sorrow, and our shame on the cross. He dethroned death. My scars do not take away from the miracle of the cross.
The sudden death of my husband has left a deep scar in my life. But in that suffering, I meet Jesus. He calls my name. I don't have to hide my scars from Jesus. He has already suffered for them. Because of that, I can live in victory. Despite my scars.
Show your scars. You don't have to be ashamed of them. Be vulnerable. Open your heart to His love. Then you can testify to the miracle in your life. If you want to have an intimate relationship with Jesus, you need to be vulnerable to Him. There is no need to be afraid. Just trust Him. With Jesus, we can be vulnerable. It is then that He can meet us in the deepest way.
When we show our vulnerability to others, an open and honest relationship develops. We still wear our scars, but they have already been redeemed on the cross. Just as Jesus was not ashamed of His scars, we do not need to hide ours.
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