From Wound to Wonder: The Beauty of a Scar

Scars.

We all have them.

I have more than my fair share and most are unseen to the natural eye. And those that can be seen, I’ve complained about more than I should have.

Physical scars are ugly to our natural eyes.

My most recent scar came from a surgical repair of a broken ankle. It’s long and in the summer can be seen by everyone. In fact, it even damaged part of a tattoo from a few years before. Every time I’ve looked at that scar, I’m reminded of all the pain that my fall caused. It was months before I could walk normal again and even today I still have pain in that ankle from time to time. To me, that pain is simply a reminder of how far I’ve come.

Recently, I heard a sermon on Thomas and the scars of Jesus. It was Thomas who refused to believe that Jesus was alive. He said, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” (John 20:25 NLT) Just eight days later, Thomas found himself standing before the risen Jesus. Jesus told Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:27 NLT)

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been so focused on the doubt of Thomas that I missed something very powerful about Jesus. Jesus, God the Son, risen from the dead, and now standing before His disciples is not perfect in body!!!

“WHAT?!?! You mean to tell me that God Himself did not heal His body and make it perfect?!?!” Nope!!

Jesus still has His scars!!!

His scars were a testimony to a doubting man that He did not forsake him. In fact, Jesus was indeed the Messiah!

Just like the scars of Jesus, your scars also tell a story. For me, my scars tell a story of the goodness of God! Sure, the initial wounds hurt me, but the scars say, “You’re no longer wounded!” Praise God!

Scars are a mark of His grace, even those scars that no one can see but you.

What wounded you may have been meant for evil, but God turns it for good – creating beauty, testimony, and wonder.

You can allow your scars to be a testimony or you can allow them to be an offense for the rest of your life. As for me, I choose to look for the beauty in all my scars now. What about you??

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. (Romans 8:28 NLT)