stephen R Harrison

Wounds can be healed by the Lord, but sometimes scars remain. I’ve got a couple of scars. One on my elbow from a bike wreck when I was 9, one on my neck from ironing my shirt while it was on (I know, dumb), one on my pinky when my friend almost cut it off with a Swiss Army knife, one from a chainsaw on my knee, and another from a barbed wire cut on my calf. The last two came from building our house several years ago. Although I have scars from wounds, I haven’t stopped riding a bike, ironing (although I learned a new technique of ironing before putting clothes on), having friends with knives, or building on our home. Unfortunately, wounds happen the more you do. Sometimes you do dumb stuff and wound yourself. Sometimes others hurt you intentionally and unintentionally. Sometimes hurt just happens while doing good.

So it is with ministry. Wounds in ministry are unavoidable, unless you never minister. Wounds can cause you to grow in wisdom, proceed with caution, close off your heart, or even quit. Don’t quit because of wounds, even when they come from those closest to you. God is the healer, you’re still called, He’s not done with you, and the best is yet to come.

Jesus kept his scars from the resurrection although fully resurrected from his wounds (John 20:27). I think they are an eternal reminder that He understands and should hand over our wounds to him. They remind us of his love, salvation, sacrifice, compassion, and sympathy. Turn your hurt over to him. Embrace your scars as lessons of wisdom, perseverance, and grace. And don’t ever give up.