"Who am I?" - Scarred and Forgiven

Welcome back to our journey...this week my answer to the question is "scarred and forgiven." I have to say these thoughts were prompted by a devotion my blogging friend, Kimberly wrote. (Visit her site, you will be blessed!!) Her devotion was titled, "The Blessing of Scars" and the worldly contradiction in the title really hit me and had me thinking.

Those thoughts reminded me of a t-shirt I was given back in college after I'd hurt my knee and had reconstructive surgery. Remember the "No Fear" line back in the '90s, well this was one of their shirts. The words said, "No Scar, No Proof." I had the scar and today it still reminds me of what I went through and the effort I exerted to return to a game I loved.

But now, 16 years later this line has me thinking about something else. My mind no longer just thinks of the physical scars, no I think of the emotional and spiritual ones as well. Some scars have been caused by circumstances and even others, but quite often my focus is on the ones I've created myself.

According to the dictionary, scar means the mark left after an injury or wound has healed. I believe the key word in the definition is the very last one, healed!! Memories of these scars shouldn't create guilt or regret, even the ones that were self-inflicted because healing has taken place. This on the other hand is not because of anything I have done!! This healing only occurs because of who I am!!!

I am chosen by God and He loves me this much - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 And this Son, Jesus, the One He gave, has the power to heal because of His scars.

Jesus could have worn my shirt back in the day, He had the scars for proof! Read His words to Thomas in John 20:27, "Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

As His followers we must remember to do what He commands, believe!! Acts 13:37-39 reminds us, "Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses."

Friend, the forgiveness of sins is the healing of our scars!! So today though you may have scars, remember you are forgiven!! As children of GOD, that is who we are!!!

Today I leave you with the words to Point of Grace's song, "Heal the Wound" may you never look at your scars the same again...

I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then

I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar