#scars #redeemed #waterwalkinggirls

This week I have shared with you pictures of ornaments on my Christmas tree.  My tree is in front of me each morning as I write, so I wanted to share with you a little bit of my view. Today’s ornament is one from Walt Disney World.  If you know me personally you probably know how much I enjoy anything to do with Disney World.  When I look at this particular ornament it conjures up such emotion.  I received this ornament from Clark, Preston, and Briley one year when just the 4 of us were at Disney World and my birthday happened to fall on the days we were there.  On my birthday, Clark and the children found an excuse to walk over to the main building of the hotel while I was busy getting ready. They went to the gift shop and picked out this ornament and surprised me with it when they returned to the room. I was totally surprised and thrilled at this ornament, as it represents all four parks. That was years ago, yet just the sight of the ornament causes me to travel back in time to that special moment.

Likewise, I have a chicken pox scar on my leg that carries me through time to the when I received it.  Most of the time the scar goes unnoticed, but occasionally it will catch my eye and I am transported to laying at home on the couch feeling miserable but also the special love, care and attention I was given by my Mama.  I imagine you also have a scar or two that reminds you of something.

I love the Christian song, “Scars” by I Am They.  Below are some of the words of the song.

“So I’m thankful for the scars

‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart

And I know they’ll always tell of who You are

So forever I am thankful for the scars.

I can see, I can see

How you delivered me

In Your hands, In your feet

I found my victory.”

Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.  With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment-to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. “

The death of Jesus Christ redeeming you and I is not new news to us.  However, I want you and I to not lose the connection of His nail scarred hands and our everyday lives.  A couple weeks ago Julie wrote about guilt. On her live that week she shared with us a message from Rick Warren’s devotional email. “How long should a follower of Jesus feel guilty? About one second.  That’s how long it takes to confess a sin. If you’re carrying around guilt, it means you can’t forgive yourself because you don’t believe God has forgiven you.” Today I want you to be reminded of the scars on the hands and feet of Jesus. Visualize them. Feel them. Imagine the pain and suffering that caused those scars. Allow the sight of the scars to transport you in time. Sit with those scars a few minutes. Then think of the connection of those scars to you today. How do the scars on Jesus affect you? Do you see those scars and remember what Jesus did for you? As a result, do you live your life telling others about Jesus or showing others about Jesus? Do you allow others to see your scars and how Jesus has redeemed you through those scars? Do you let go of guilt, forgiving yourself and others?  The definition of a scar is “a mark left on the skin or within body tissue where a wound, burn, or sore has not healed completely and fibrous connective tissue has developed.”

A scar is a connection.  Today, connect with the scars on Jesus’ hands and feet. Let those scars be a reminder of your connection to God and remind you of the sacrifices made for you to live a life of freedom. Jesus is the fibrous connective tissue between us and God.  Let’s live our lives in a way that reflects our redemption. Let’s tell others in words and actions. Let’s forgive ourselves and others. Let’s allow the scars of Jesus to connect us with God.

Listen to the song “Scars” by I Am They and allow the words to shape and change your perspective of scars.

Look in the comments below for a picture of the ornament in the above story.