Easter part 3. Scars

I have scars, I have two on my head from accidents and one on my side where my appendices was taken out. They are evidence of trama done to my body.

I have other scars to but you can't see them scars of things done to me that brought trama that in the doing left no sign and yet cut deeper and hurt more then all three physical incidences put togeather. We all have scars like that, scars of words without thought or with great intent.

We all know the emotional wounds that leave scars on our hearts and yet as I have processed my way through so much healing the scars that I have had the hardest time coming to terms with are not the ones I bear but the ones I have left on others.

You know what I'm talking about, we have all said and done things to others that have cut deep and left scars on those around us.

I have been moved as I have traveled the road toward the cross this year to look at the scars my actions have caused.

I have realised that this year what I needed to leave at the cross was my guilt and shame for the scars I have left on you and others I have met.

In Matthew 20:25,27 we learn that Jesus had scars from his time on the cross that stayed with his resurrected body. I think it was a reminder for those he encountered that it cost him something to hang there and yet as I have looked these last months at my scars and the scars I have given I can't help but realise that they don't matter. Not really, not any more because the scars that Jesus kept remind me today that I don't have to keep mine as reminders and I dont have to be ashamed of those I gave because his scars are the payment for both sets.

I have been asking what has God been asking you to give up this Easter at the cross and this is it for me.
I am giving up the scars I have given and the scars I have received and I am saying they don't matter not anymore because my savior kept his so I didn't have to keep mine.

Easter part 1. Faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

(Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 TNIV)

What makes us up (atoms) is held together by something we cannot see.

Do I have faith to believe that what God says is true and do I see things as God does or do I just see it from my perspective?

When I trust that what God says is true and start to look at my mountains from his perspective I know that a mustard seed amount of faith is more then enough to do all I am called to do.

So why do I doubt?

Why do I sway from the truth that everything I am called to do I have the streanghth to do?

Why do I live in fear that I don't have what it takes?

I think for me and most likely others too its because we don't see God correctly.

We don't see him as a all loving, all powerful father we have been warped by poor relections of love and provision.

We also don't see ourselves correctly.

We have been built up and torn down by validating and unvaladating. We don't see that God the all powerful and all knowing one has given us a promise.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b NIV)

This promise was given after the great commission was given a mission we would not do alone so I feel the verse fits for other contexts of knowing our God is with us when he calls us to something.

On my journey to the cross this year I felt that God has been asking me to give up some stuff to Him and embrace my calling as a servent and a missionary of his gospel of hope.

That takes great faith, knowing who He is and knowing who he has made me to be.

What is the King asking you to do this Easter?