Beautiful Scars

She was beautiful, and her scars told her story.

She was a customer at the retail store where I have my second job, and she asked me to find the dress that she was trying on in a different size.  “I’m trying to find one that covers my radiation scars,” she said, as she pointed self-consciously to her chest.  The scars were clearly visible.

Ah, I thought.  The radiation explained her ultra-short hairstyle.

I didn’t really think that a different size dress was going to help her achieve her goal, but I gladly brought it to her anyway.  When she came out of the dressing room, she confirmed as much, but she decided to purchase the first dress and to wear a camisole under it.  I wished her a good evening as I directed her to the section of the lingerie department where she could find the camisoles.

I couldn’t help but think about her as I went through my evening.  The first thing that I had noticed about her was the hairstyle.  As I mentioned, it was ultra short, but it set off the beautiful features of her face.  I also noticed that she didn’t look me in the eye when she mumbled a response to my greeting.

That got me wondering about her story.  The fact that she’d been through radiation treatments told me that she had received an unpleasant diagnosis, probably quite unexpectedly.  What had her life been like before that diagnosis?  Had she been more confident then?  How had she gotten through that storm?  Did she know Jesus and rely on Him for strength or had she struggled through it without Him?

I began to be sorry that I had not engaged her on a deeper level.  Her scars spoke to me of strength and resilience.  They told of the blessing of God for healing her.  She was clearly a survivor.  Could she see the beauty of those things?  I could see it for her.  I wish I had told her that.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5

²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”  1 Peter 2:24

Jesus bears the scars of our disobedience (sins) on His precious body.  He first was whipped with a whip that had lead tips, tearing His flesh from His body with every strike.  A crown of thorns was twisted together and driven into His head.  Then He was led up the hill of Golgotha to the place where spikes were driven through His hands and feet as He was crucified.  Finally, a spear was driven into His side to prove that He had died on the cross.

The agony He endured left scars on His body.

Because our sins were laid upon Him as He suffered and died, you and I can be free from sin.  We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:16 NLT) but have been freed to live lives of righteousness.  His death and resurrection brought many sons and daughters to glory through what He suffered (Hebrews 2:10).  Why did He volunteer for this?  The Word says it was “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2).  That joy, my friends, is His ability to be in relationship for eternity with you and me!

Yes, His suffering left scars on His body, and they are the scars of love.  I look forward to the day when I will see Him face to face, when I will look upon His scars, His beautiful scars.  All praise to God!

Can you see the beauty in His scars?

Summertime!

²⁸ “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.”  Mark 13:28

Today is the first day of summer and it is a glorious day!  There are small fluffy white clouds floating in a clear blue sky, the sun is shining brightly, the temperature and humidity levels are warm but comfortable, and a red-tailed hawk is making lazy circles in the sky as it floats on the air currents.  You could hardly ask for a nicer day in the month of June in Kentucky!

What makes today’s weather even more glorious is the fact that our recent weather has been….well, not so glorious.  Like many areas of the eastern United States, we’ve had an abundance of rain, sometimes with thunder and lightning providing the accompaniment.  We have more of that kind of weather forecast for this weekend and into the early part of next week, so we have to enjoy today’s weather while we can and soak up that beautiful sunshine.

I don’t know of any fig trees that grow near where I live, although there may be some.  If there is one, I’ll bet its twigs are tender and its leaves are out, because summer time is upon us.  Surely that is one of the signs of summer, trees in leaf and bearing fruit.  All of us can easily recognize it.

However, can you recognize the signs of the end times as easily as you can recognize the changes of season?  That’s really what Jesus was talking to His disciples about in this passage from Mark.  In verses 5-27, Jesus answers their question about what sign will be given that the end is near.  He talks about there being, “wars or rumors of wars,” earthquakes and famines.  He speaks of the need for the gospel to be preached to every nation.  He tells of situations where it is brother against brother, children against parents.  He speaks of believers being flogged in the synagogues.  Even more frightening is His description of the sun and moon being darkened, stars falling from the sky and the heavens being shaken.  He finishes by saying that at that time, we will see the Son of Man riding on the clouds and gathering His followers from all corners of the earth and the heavens.  WOW.  That’s some kind of sign!  Would you recognize those signs for what they are?

Brothers and sisters, if you are in Christ, there is no reason to fear the end times any more than you fear a beautiful summer’s day.  Yes, the days will be evil and full of hardship, but our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to gather to Himself all who belong to Him.  That will be glorious!!

What does it mean to be “in Christ”?  It means that you understand that the ONLY way to Heaven is through a relationship with Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the price for your sins.  It means you have surrendered your life to His lordship and to His leadership.  It means that you have repented (turned away from) your sinful ways and asked for His forgiveness and His help to live as He would have you live.  It means that you have received the truth that you are now His adopted son or daughter and that you are dearly loved by Him.  Have you done that?  Are you ready to do that?  Please, don’t wait too long to make that decision for Him!!!!  You can make it today by praying this prayer:

Dear Jesus, I am a sinful person who has gone my own way through life up to this point.  I am sorry.  Today I surrender everything to You.  I want to turn away from my sinful ways and live the way that You would have me live but I need your help to do it.  Please come into my heart.  Please forgive me for all my sins – past, present and future.  Please teach me Your ways and lead my life from this day forward.  I give all that I am to You, the One Who died for me.  Thank you, Jesus.  Amen.

Amen!!  If you’ve just prayed that prayer, or one like it, and you meant it with every ounce of your being, then know that the Holy Spirit now lives in your heart.  You are sealed in Christ forever, and nothing can ever change that.  Congratulations!!!  If you still have questions, please feel free to contact me; I’d be glad to talk with you.  You are loved!