I have scars. Physical and emotional scars...
I have this one scar on my leg I got when I was about 12 years old. My mom was going to take us to a water park and I needed to shave. I had about 15 minutes to do it. So, I ran to the bathroom, sat on the toilet, and began to shave my legs. My cat was very curious about what I was doing and jumped up on the sink to watch. Something fell in the next room over, frightening my cat as she was poking her nose into my business and she jumped... right off the sink and onto the arm that was holding my razor. The razor tore down and into my skin and then began the bleeding... everywhere. Thanks kitty cat.
Now here I am, 13 years later, and I still have a scar where I shaved a little more than just hair off my leg. It's a funny story now, and I think it's cute that my cat was so interested in what I was doing. I didn't find it funny OR cute at the time. Butthe scar holds memories and everytime I see the scar, I remember my childhood pet who is now long gone. When other people see the scar and ask, I get to tell them the story of my favorite pet growing up.
I thought it was interesting that Jesus Christ has scars. I mean... he raised people from the dead and even put a guys ear back on his head after it had been sliced off, yet the Son of God still has scars on his body? Then I thought about it again. He still has his scars because they tell a story. They tell a story of what His life and purpose was. They remind his brothers and sisters of the freedom they have. They provide light to people living in the dark.
I'm sure it was painful to have nails driven into his hands and feet... probably not his favorite part of living on earth. But when I imagine Him showing doubting Thomas the scars on his hands, I imagine Him smiling as Thomas realized who Jesus was and what He'd done for us lowly sinners.
I've been through more than some and less than others in my 25 years of living. I've had good times and bad times. I've been wounded and healed. For some of those wounds I still have scars, but those scars tell a story of who I am and where I've been. They show the things God has done in my life. I enjoy telling people how my wounds became scars.
Also, I love it when people share their open wounds or scars with the other people in their community. It shows what God is or has been doing in their life. It's a shame when people hide scars... because every scar has some kind of story.
So... tell me about that scar you have. You know the one... The one you don't show very often.
