Scar Tissue

Anyone who has suffered an injury more than likely has some sort of scar tissue. It’s the body’s way of protecting itself, I suppose, but depending upon where it is, it can affect how we move and interact with our bodies. It is a reminder of the injury or pain we suffered from that incident. It can be cumbersome and inconvenient. As a kid, my knees took quite a beating from bike accidents and I still have dirt amid scar tissue in them and perhaps a tiny pebble or two. Years later when in physical therapy after surgery, a therapist explained that scar tissue could be broken up. By simply rubbing that area daily with a little pressure, the tissue could be worked and the scars greatly lessened if not fully removed. It takes work and is sometimes a bit painful.

As I am sure you have experienced, we encounter pain and suffering in our lives too. Heartaches can affect many of our relationships and experiences including our relationship with God. Old wounds can leave us feeling bitter and the idea of working through the pain may cause us to avoid or deny it. This can distance us from God. People of faith eventually come to realize that all true spiritual healing must come through the Cross. You must come to Christ even if it is initially kicking and screaming.

I speak from experience, having suffered a great deal in my own life. As an adult I realize these sufferings, though not ordained by God, were allowed by Him to bring about the greater good. The idea that God would allow us to suffer to bring something better can be a difficult idea to accept, yet those who seek Christ know this to be true. Recall Hebrews 12:6 – 7, “For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his sons; for what son is there, whom the father doth not correct?” Countless biblical examples of suffering also brought forth great fruit. Let us look at a few of them. Take the sufferings of Mary and Martha at the death of their brother, Lazarus. “Lord, if you had been here, our brother would not have died.” [John 11:21] We know from this story that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It should be noted that having heard of Lazarus’ illness, Jesus did not go to see his friend for four days. In Jewish culture of that period, a person was not truly dead until after the third day of death, therefore, Jesus’ act of raising Lazarus was truly miraculous! Another example is the woman at the well. In her case her suffering was brought on because of her life choices. Yet through Jesus’ compassion, she receives living water and brings other to Him, “Come, and see a man who has told me all things whatsoever I have done.” [John 4:29] The greatest sacrifice known to humanity however was through Jesus Himself on the Cross. Through His death and Resurrection, Our Lord brought us eternal life. Though I am sorrowful at the sins of our first parents, it is original sin that brought us into a greater relationship with God. God loved us so immensely that He could not allow us to fall into death as a result of our disobedience, so He took our sins to the Cross Himself creating a bridge to salvation that no mortal could accomplish – “For the wages of sin is death. But [by the] the grace of God, life everlasting [is freely offered], in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 6:23] Now recognizing God’s unfailing love, we can joyfully say, “Oh Happy Fault” for it is our original failure that brought forth the eternal sweetness given by God’s unfathomable grace.

We all have scar tissue from our experiences in life. The key to peacefulness and eternal life is to bring them to the Cross. Like the Good Samaritan, Our Lord will pour soothing oil over our wounds, bind them and heal them as He shows us the pathway toward salvation.

“You have made us for yourself, oh Lord and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” ~ St. Augustine.

God Love You,

Greg (petegforchrist@gmail.com)