Scars

The other day one of my many scars caught my attention and got me to thinking. What do your physical scars mean to you? Do they remind you of a time of pain? A mistake or bad choice? What do your scars teach you?

Most of my scars are the results of difficult lessons learned...a little too late. When I see them, I am reminded of things I shouldn't do unless I want another scar. The scar on my knee reminds me that I should not attempt to retrieve a taco from an angry dog who stole it from our dinner table. The scar on my thumb reminds me that a butter knife is not an effective tool for cutting a giant Hershey Kiss into pieces. The scar on my finger reminds me to move my hand when the trailer I am pulling is headed for a concrete wall.

As I was moving from scar to scar, remembering all the hard lessons learned, I began to think about another set of scars. They are not my scars. They are the "scars that save." Much like my physical scars, the scars that our Savior has carry great meaning. They not only symbolize a time of pain and suffering, but they also remind me of things I shouldn't do.

The scars on His hands remind me that I shouldn't rely on my own strength. The scars on His hands remind me that I am not bound by my mistakes (or sin if you will). The scars on His hands remind me that I shouldn't live my own way. The scars on His hands remind me...it wasn't me that felt the pain caused by my mistakes. The scars on His hands...they ARE my scars...on His hands. My scars. His hands.

My scars on His hands remind me that I owe my life to Him. There is no other way to live but to serve Him!

I see my scars on His hands and think...

My God! My Savior! Thank you for bearing my sin and my shame and for wearing the "scars that save!"

[Recognition: the term "scars that save" was brought to my attention by a song bearing that title written by Kids In The Way]