Scars

In a post on Scot McKnights’ blog (Jesus Creed) titled “Every Scar Has A Story,” Josh Ross writes of a difficult and painful period in his life.  A combination of ministry stress, the tragic death of his sister, and other blows led to what he calls a “faith crisis” in his life -- a time when he wrestled with God.  Journaling provided an outlet for him to address with God what he refers to as the “scars” that life had inflicted upon him.
Ross reveals that his experience taught him some things about scars.  I won’t list them all, but one in particular resonated with me.  He said: “Thirdly, we live in a culture that spends billions of dollars trying to cover up scars.  But that’s not the way it has always been. Scars haven’t always been something to be avoided. In fact, the Jesus-story tells us that scars are stories meant to be redeemed.  I think the local church is sometimes at its best when we don’t suppress scar-filled stories, but rather we provide space for these stories to be told. This isn’t for people to wallow in the misery of physical or emotional pain, but to point to the beauty of how God joins us as we walk through it.  After all, when Jesus was raised from the dead, His scars remained, because they helped tell a story that is still capturing the world.”
Is it possible that we have we become too adept at covering up our scars in the body of Christ?  Why are we fearful of displaying the marks of our healing?  Is there any way that scars could be attractional to those outside of Christ?  What creative ways could be envisioned for the people of God to share the stories of their scars in redemptive ways?  Do you have any “scar stories” that you would be willing to share?  I don’t have all the answers -- I am just asking the questions.  What do think? (Joss Ross’ journal entries became a book he wrote entitled “Scarred Faith”)

God loves you!

Mike

Galactic Cannibalism

Just when you think you have enough to worry about, here’s something else to add to your list: “Only 5 Billion Years Until The Milky Way Gets Gobbled Up.”  This is the title of Rachel Feldman’s article published on the Washington Post’s website on September 19.  Feldman reports on a recent study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.  Unbeknownst to most of us, apparently “...galaxies turn to cannibalism when they get too big to keep growing on their own.”  The threat to our little corner of the universe comes from the “nearby” Andromeda galaxy.  “But the Milky Way isn’t going to be able to outrun Andromeda.  In about 5 billion years we’ll collide with the nearby galaxy, which contains at least twice as many stars as our own.  To Andromeda, we’ll be nothing but a cosmic candy bar.”

While the prophet Habakkuk lived in pre-scientific times and knew nothing about galactic cannibalism, he knew something about having his world crumbling down around him.  He saw the sin of his fellow Israelites and prayed to God for an answer.  But the answer proved to be even more terrifying: God was bringing the Chaldeans as judgment upon Israel!  Habakkuk struggles with all of this, but ends the book that bears his name with a great statement of faith: “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places: (Habakkuk 3:17–19).

Those with faith in God do not have to worry about galactic cannibalism.  May God help us to have the kind of faith that trusts and rejoices in Him regardless of the threat we face.

God loves you!

Mike