Scars
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Scarred
Scarred
I wear a large, crooked, unsightly scar down the middle of my chest. From my sternum, to a couple of inches above my navel, it sits front and center. I wear it proudly, , , for the most part, that is. It would not be truthful of me to say there have not been times I wish it were not there. It would also be dishonest for the me say I have not been slightly embarrassed of it at times. But generally speaking, this scar (along with the other five, or so, hidden beneath my clothes) has never really bothered me. If someone were to miraculously offer to erase all traces of its existence from my body I would gladly decline. Why? It defines me. It is a gentle reminder of the condition into which I was born. It is evidence of the Physician’s healing hand upon me. And, it evokes a gratitude from within because without out it I would not be here today.
That is easy to for me to say of my physical scars. But physical scars are not the only only wounds I wear. As those covered by clothing, others lie hidden beneath the surface of my mind, my emotions and my spirit. Like the physical, some are the result of storms faced by no choice of my own. Others, however, are the remnants of battles fought due to poor decisions or incorrect thinking.
Do you wear any physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual scars?
Do your scars define you? (circle one) NEGATIVELY POSITIVELY NOT AT ALL
Explain:
Not all scars are physical. Describe any emotional, mental or spiritual scars you may be wearing?
Do your scars define you? (circle one) NEGATIVELY POSITIVELY NOT AT ALL
Explain:
The New International Version Chapter 1
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:
I am not certain about any scars Paul may have worn. However, we do know from scripture that he referenced a “thorn in his flesh”. We also know that he was not always the dedicated apostle he became after his conversion on the Damascus Road. Not only was he not building the church and making disciples WITH the gospel he now preached; he was working to destroy the church by persecuting its followers BECAUSE of that same gospel. So my guess would be that Paul had him some scars.
Not all scars are physical. Describe any emotional, mental, or spiritual scars you may be wearing.
Do your scars define you? (circle one) NEGATIVELY POSITIVELY NOT AT ALL
Explain:
Yet he was able to boldly proclaim that he was not ashamed of the gospel! The same gospel he fought so zealously to smother, he now fights to disperse to as many as will hear. Why? Because therein lies the power. The power that brings salvation. The power that can change a Saul into a Paul. There is power in his gospel. And it defines him.
Yet he was able to boldly proclaim that he was not ashamed of the gospel! The same gospel he fought so zealously to smother, he now fights to disperse to as many as will hear. Why? Because therein lies the power. The power that brings salvation. The power that can change a Saul into a Paul. The power that can take the flawed, defective, and imperfect and transform it into a healthy, vibrant instrument of service.
Not his present thorn nor the deeds of his past. Not the guilt nor the shame. The gospel.
This power that can take the flawed, defective, and imperfect and transform it into a healthy, vibrant instrument of service.
The power that can take the flawed, defective, and imperfect and transform it into a healthy, vibrant instrument of service.
The power that can take the flawed, defective, and imperfect and transform it into a healthy, vibrant instrument of service.
The same power that can heal the flawed, defective, and imperfect heart of who we are and transform us into healthy, vibrant instruments of service.