April 21, 2019
Hello, friend! Today is Easter!!! Today is the day that we remember that Jesus has overcome the grave, that He defeated death, and that we have a reason to hope in Him – that He’s already done the “impossible” by dying and coming back to life – to save us! This is what the Christian faith is all about! We have hope because of His scars!
Romans 8:21-28 (NLT) reminds us, “But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
You know what though? Earlier in Romans 8:17 it says this, “And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering” (NLT). That may not sound too comforting to you. But, I bet you can think of something either in your life right now or in the past where you felt like you were suffering. It will never be to the full extent that Jesus has suffered; but, He never expected us to suffer the same way He did. He took away the sins of the world! That doesn’t negate or minimize what you or I may be going through. We each suffer in our own way. And, at different points in life, what may seem like suffering at one point may not seem like it in another.
I’m reminded of James 1:2-3, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (NLT). Let me just say that for a very long time this verse has been somewhat of a thorn in my side. I mean, how does this make sense? Great joy when troubles come my way??? Well, I’ve had some time to think about it and experience what this means first hand. Let me ask you something first though. Have you ever gone through a bad experience or learned something the hard way before? I bet you have. Now, have you had a time where even though you felt like you went to hell and back that you’re glad that you went through the experience because it made you a stronger person? Yes??!! I hope that you can relate to this analogy.
I had a very dear friend growing up who went through a very similar gut-wrenching experience as I once did. In fact, she and I basically went through the same situation at the same time in our lives. I remember sometime either in high school or college a conversation that she and I had and we both said that while it was crappy going through it that we wouldn’t go back and change any of it because it made us who we were. That’s what James is trying to tell us in these verses.
In the past month or so I’ve really come to a place where I’m at peace and thankful for the experience of my faith being tested in the past nine months or so. It’s not like this is the first time; but, this time it’s different. I’ve experienced more pain, more hope, more fears, more peace – all while getting to know more of God and who He really is. It’s been a painful yet awesome experience. And you know what?! I’m thankful for this experience! That doesn’t mean that I’m not ready for my prayers to be answered; but, I can wholeheartedly say that, “I’m thankful the scars.” Because of my scars – some from many years ago and some very recent – I have learned to lean on Jesus and learned who He really is – and to say, “Thank you,” to Him for His scars. Though my pain pales in comparison to His (and many other people here on Earth) I have learned to be thankful for His scars… because His make mine more bearable.
Like I said, I’ve had this sentiment for about a month now as far as my current situation is concerned, but about two or three weeks ago I discovered the song by I AM THEY called, “Scars.” This song really hit home for me the first time that I heard it. I immediately downloaded it and listened to it on repeat for a while. But, you know what? And, I don’t say what I’m getting ready to say to pat myself on the back, I say it because I’ve realized how far I’ve come and to also encourage you in what you may be going through… I’m thankful that I can even say that I’m thankful for the scars BEFORE my prayers are answered! That means that I’m growing as a Christian! Wahooo! Ha, ha! Seriously though – I’m thankful for my scars – they’ve brought me closer to Jesus! Experiencing His love is so awesome – I pray that you get to know Him in such a sweet way! It may not always be easy, but it’s always worth it!
Remember Romans 8:28 from earlier in this post? There is purpose in the pain – there was for Jesus and there is for you too, my friend. Just don’t forget to tell others of the hope that Jesus has given us and how He has worked in your life. There’s no testimony too big or small to share! One day I’m going to share some of mine.
Friend, will you be bold enough and brave enough to ask God to lead you so that you can grow closer to Him as well? Maybe you’ll have to work through some past hurt or maybe you’re currently going through something? Or, maybe He’s preparing you to go through some upcoming rough waters? It’s always one of those three – no one goes through life without trials.
Below I’m going to post the lyrics of the song that I mentioned above along with a link to the song. I hope that it touches you the same way that it did me. I especially love the part where they sing, “So, I’m thankful for Your scars…”
Until next time – God Bless,
Penelope G.
Lyrics for “Scars” by I AM THEY:
Waking up to a new sunrise
Looking back from the other side
I can see now with open eyes
Darkest water and deepest pain
I wouldn’t trade it for anything
‘Cause my brokenness brought me to You
And these wounds are a story You’ll use
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
Now I’m standing in confidence
With the strength of Your faithfulness
And I’m not who I was before
No, I don’t have to fear anymore
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
I can see, I can see
How You delivered me
In Your hands, in Your feet
I found my victory
I’m thankful for Your scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And with my life, I’ll tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful
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
So forever I am thankful for the scars
Listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqjGT9BSyJA
PS – In God like fashion, this post once again put itself together. I had a thought or two and God did the rest. I originally didn’t even plan to write this post today. I meant to write it a few days ago and then thought that maybe early in the upcoming week that I would do it. I first wanted to write about it after I heard the song a couple of weeks ago though. I chose to write about it this evening because I had some free time. I kid you not that even today, it did not occur to me that “Thankful for the scars” was being written on Easter. Maybe I’m just that thickheaded – or maybe God’s just that good! Maybe both!! Ha, ha! He’s always good (even when we can’t see it). It wasn’t until I sat down to write that I realized the providence of the topic and the day it was being written. Some people will dismiss this idea, but not me.
PPS – IF you’ve made it to reading this far past my regular blog post, let me give you an update about 03/23/2019 – nothing happened. My prayer wasn’t answered on that day. So, that just means that God still wants me to wait. He’s still good! I’m still waiting for Him to answer my prayers!