Jesus, I pray YOUR promises penetrate my heart in such a way that bleeds the gospel.
May I proclaim this truth as I stand here painfully weeping. As my blood trickles down the lines of my flesh, may its hues reflect You as You stand before me, Your compassionate eyes fixed upon me, Your hands outstretched toward me.
I see you but You don't come.
You stare.
You cry.
"Why aren't you helping me?" I plead.
In my weakness, I fall to my knees. With a shortness of breath, I try calling to You, running to You, but my bleeding wound has made me weak. Through misty eyes, I see Your silhouette. You're walking toward me.
My sight begins to go; Your figure, a hazy blur.
Darkness is all I see but I feel You.
I feel Your hands. I feel them tugging, I feel them pulling. They're gentle. They're loving.
And then you're gone and I'm alone. I'm tired, I'm weak...I sleep.
When I rise, I find my body,once feeble and faint, now strong and able. My appearance has changed- I'm wearing robes of white. I see my old clothes, tattered, worn, and bloody, piled at my side.
And then I see it.
A scar.
Once a gaping wound, now a stronger skin.
With a love I hardly comprehend, You mended me; You stitched me.
My scar(s) scream of Your death, Your resurrection, Your forgiveness, Your love.
I smile. I weep. I worship.
And I dance, I dance with my King.
"So I say, 'My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.' I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'"
Lamentations 3:18-24
Dear reader, remember your scars. Remember where you've come from and worship because of where He has brought you. You may not understand His ways, You may not understand His reasoning, but He is still good! Praise Him who offers you robes of righteousness! Praise Him who beckons you to dine at His table!
Share your scars. Share His truth.
