The Testimony of Our Scars

THE TESTIMONY OF OUR SCARS

By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No one manages to get through life without at least a few scars.  If not physical, there are certainly emotional scars that we collect over the course of our years.

Watching TV a while back, I saw a retired firefighter being interviewed.  He had visible burn scars as evidence of his heroism.  He had gone into a burning building and rescued a woman and her child.

Another young man displayed a large scar on his leg that came after using the roof of his family home as a skateboard ramp.  It didn’t go quite as planned.

It’s interesting that when we see scars, we are curious about how they happened.  Whether from morbid curiosity or an earnest desire to avoid danger ourselves, we want to know the story behind them.

Big or small, chances are, in this new year, that we will add a scar or two to our life story.  They will give testimony about what will have transpired in the weeks and months ahead.

What story will this year’s scars tell about our maturity, our character and our choices?

Father, thank You for forgiving us for all of the foolish things we have done. Thank You for remembering how we were made, for Your compassion on our weakness and the countless times You have come to our rescue.

In the days ahead, we ask that if scars are to be left on our lives, that they will come from acts of courage, honor and integrity.  May our lives be marked by kindness, humility and compassion.

Lord, quicken us to choose the path of wisdom and to avoid the pitfalls of folly, that one day when we stand before You, we will recount this year with joy and not regret.  And like the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, may the testimony of our scars be that of love.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️
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