I looked at my left hand and viewed the scar again. About an inch long. I thought about that. It wasn’t on my right hand; it wasn’t on my foot or elbow. The evidence was in. Something happened THERE, not somewhere else.

 

Thrombosis. How? Good question. Someone at a hospital left an IV in that location for too long during a stay there. It should be changed out by day 3 at the latest. But it was almost a week. I didn’t know that, but someone DID. But didn’t do it.

 

Instead of accepting the recommendation to take a blood thinner to dissolve the fairly large clot around the IV site, I insisted that it be removed completely. When the same hospital removed it, it left a noticeable scar. In other words, there was physical evidence that something happened there.

 

I also have a scar where a pacemaker was installed. I also have scars where my cancer surgeries were. There was NO doubt that something happened there. There are STORIES to every scar.

 

We can also have emotional “scars” where life-changing trauma or drama ripped at our hearts and souls, causing deep grief, anger, health degradation, or behavioral changes. These cannot be seen directly, but the changes in people CAN be seen due to those scars.

 

Ladies who have had C-sections bear witness to childbirth. Men with football injuries to the hands, arms, legs, or feet provide evidence that a game-related incident required serious medical attention.

 

Jesus bears the scars of sacrifice, providing evidence that He was the one who gave His life for us! Many can claim to be LIKE Jesus, but NO ONE has the scars to prove it. Soldiers of war show signs of the part of the conflict they were involved in. Some lost limbs, lost sight, lost mobility, or had their minds affected. Our empathy reaches out to our veterans and their families.

 

The interesting thing about scars is that they can be seen as showing presence. And almost all of the time, the pain is gone. But scars that can’t be seen many times have not healed. But Jesus seeks to heal those hidden scars and deep wounds. Jesus “sees” those scars!

 

Main point #1 – Physical scars can be physically “viewed” by physical eyes or by human touch.

Main point #2 – Hidden scars can be “viewed” by listening with human ears and by human touch.

Main point #3 – Jesus heals physical scars and hidden scars. Let Him do that. He will send people.

 

“Lord, let us be so aware of the people around us. Help us to see the physical scars, and inquire out of curiosity, empathy, and genuine interest. Let us take that as an opportunity to open the conversation to the hidden scars, so we may reach the tender, unhealed wounds that can drive behavior. Help us be receptive and available for encouragement and a loving spirit. Please guide those who need this to us, so we may extend the invitation to know Jesus intimately. Allow us to be the spiritual salve applied to do deep healing around us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”