This week I got a new scar. The doctor says its not going to be a pretty one. It’s on my calve, so I’m not too bothered about the mark. Ironically, this scar fills me with gratitude and joy because it reminds me of what could have been – of what I was saved from.
I have another scar on my arm. This one always brings a smile to my face as it reminds me of the night I got it. I was was sixteen years old. Me and my brothers were doing dishes. I splashed oily water and Conrad ducked away, “accidently” stabbing me in the arm with the steak knife he was drying. There was a lot of blood and screaming. We all got a big fright! But a few stitches and cleaning up restored the peace. This was thirty years ago; Conrad passed away two years ago. I’m fond of the scar on my arm, because it reminds me of the love and the friendship we shared. The sudden loss of my brother left an unseen scar, and somehow this old knife wound represents the loss I feel.
Just like the marks on a tree, our scars bear testimony to the things we lived through. They give shape to and character to our lives. The scars can never fully reveal the trauma we encountered, but like the marks in a tree trunk, our scars reveal our growth response to these events. our scars are evidence of how we healed. As such, our scars tell the story of our resilience – what we endured and survived.
People tend to hide their scars, ashamed of the imperfections and afraid of the painful memories. In contrast, the apostle Paul boasted in his scars[i] and listed the events which caused these scars (inside and outside) with gratitude and dignity, claiming that his scars are something to be cherished, even honoured. [ii] How could our scars be something to be thankful for, something to be cherished and even paraded? What can we learn from Paul about our scars and the trauma which caused it?
Firstly, each scars is a witness to my weakness, and therefore a tangible signs of grace. We get scars because we are not bullet-proof. Our scars are a testament to our vulnerability, our frailty. Paul boasted in this weakness[iii] – his limitations or the end of his ability – because that’s where he experienced grace: the help and intervention from God. The traumatic events Paul listed scarred his body, soul and spirit. Violence and disasters left marks on his body; betrayal and abandonment wounded his soul; accusations and demonic torments injured his spirit. Yet Paul cherished each scar – visible and invisible – as a reminder of God’s sustaining grace. Without God’s grace Paul would have died, given up, or turned back from the call for his life.
One evening in our high school years, my brother Conrad took a test drive with a friend’s motorcycle – without a helmet. Somewhere in the ride he accidently switched off the headlights. As he approached our house, another vehicle – who did not see him – turned in front of him without indicating. Conrad crashed into the car, was flung in the air and landed headfirst on the tar. We though he was dead, but God showed him grace. He had a scar above his right eye as a daily reminder of the grace of God.
Likewise, my own scars are reminders of what I was saved from, and how I was restored. They testify of God’s presence, providence and power at work in every situation that threatened my life. The scar says “If it had not been for the Lord,[iv] this would have been my end… but God carried me through and restored me!” As such these scars bring me daily comfort that God is always with me, and will turn everything I face today for my good.[v] My strength may fail, but His strength will not.[vi] When fear wants to overwhelm me, my scars remind me that “stronger is He that is in me” than what I may face in the world today.[vii] I never face anything alone.[viii]
Secondly, my scars are witness to the tests I have passed. Each scar – whether visible or invisible – tells a story of pain that I endured, of hardship that I was not spared. And therefore, as a believer in Christ, these scars are signs of faith that remind me that I was tested and purified as through fire.[ix] Like Job, I kept on believing in the goodness and power of God in spite of the troubles I endured.[x] Through the pain, loss, or shame I kept on trusting in Jesus, believing that he has overcome the world.[xi] As I walked through the fire of testing, my faith was proven and found to be real because I have come to trust God’s character more than my experience.
Looking at my scars as marks of faith bring me daily confidence. My scars remind me that “nothing can separate me from God’s love” and that in every hardship I endure “I am more than a conqueror through Christ who gives me strength.”[xii] In this sense each scar is an affirmation of my faith, adding confidence in the face of adversity.
Thirdly, my scars are witness to a fading, fallible world. We only get scars on earth because the rule of sin and its decaying effect is limited to this fallen world of ours. Our scars are caused by things like violence, sickness, calamity – and these have temporal power here. The driving forces that bring us pain and leave us scars are often hatred, jealousy, greed, betrayal, or abuse – and these are only at work in this age. But when Christ returns to reign there will be no more pain, no more sickness, no more calamity[xiii] – there will be no new scars in heaven.
Every scar reminds me that our world is fallen, and that this is why Jesus came to earth. Seeing scars stirs my longing for the day when Christ will come to make all things new.[xiv] As such our scars are signs of hope, reminders that Christ will bring an end to sin and suffering and establish His universal reign of peace. Looking at my scars in this light brings me joyful endurance, knowing that whatever I might face today is temporal; it cannot compare to the eternal glory that awaits me.[xv]
Lastly, my scars are reminders of Christ’s scars on his body. Jesus has scars on his body because he came to identify with me in my sin and suffering. Moved by love the Eternal Perfect One exchanged his pain-free heaven for our pain-stricken existence. He willingly embraced our suffering to redeem us to Himself.[xvi] This sacrificial love left the Eternal Perfect One scarred forever – as a Lamb having been slain.[xvii]
Our scars point us to His scars, a tangible reminder that we are greatly loved. As such, my scars are signs of love. He was marred in body, soul and spirit for our healing, peace and forgiveness.[xviii] In this – His scars – His love for us is proven.[xix] Looking at my scars in this way stirs my gratitude and devotion to Christ.
What scars do you carry in your body? Ask yourself: How does this scar remind me of God’s sustaining grace? Can I see this mark as affirmation of my proven faith? How does this injury stir my hope in Christ’s return? And does this healed wound remind me of God’s immense love for me?
Now we can look at your scars and say with Paul: “We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. These light afflictions, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” [xxi]
[i] Galatians 6:17.
[ii] 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, 12:8-10.
[iii] See above.
[iv] Psalm 124:1.
[v] Romans 8:28.
[vi] 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
[vii] 1 John 4:4.
[viii] Isaiah 43:2.
[ix] 1 Peter 1:6-7.
[x] Hebrews 11:6.
[xi] John 16:33.
[xii] Romans 8:35-37.
[xiii] Revelation 21:4.
[xiv] Revelation 21:5.
[xv] 2 Corinthians 4:17.
[xvi] Revelation 5:9.
[xvii] Revelation 5:6.
[xviii] Isaiah 53:4-6.
[xix] Romans 5:8.
[xx] If you read ‘spirit’ in this sense, it is helpful to think of identity, as well as your relational ability to love, hope and trust.
[xxi] 2 Corinthians 4:16-17.
walklikejesus 