SCRIPTURE
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
OBSERVATION
Scars stories are fun to listen to sometimes. Sometimes people have scars that look like they got into a knife fight but really are from something stupid like getting head butted while playing football (not me of course ;-) Other times though theses scars are trophies that come from a battle. They act as reminders of triumphs or lessons learned. The clearest picture of this would be a war hero general. If you were to look at some of the most successful combat heroes they will probably not be perfect and untouched, but rather carry brands in their flesh from near death experiences. During the time when the wound happened it was one of the most painful times in that persons life, but they experience they received from it was life changing. Some people may say that these scars are reminders of their mistakes, which may be true sometimes. However, let me ask you this question...would you rather follow a general into battle with scars on their body and experience or a unblemished inexperienced general with a perfect record? I’ll take the scared general any day. Many times I feel like we would try to answer and say both, I want a general who is proven and has no scars. Yet these generals don’t exist. The reality of life and battle is that you will get wounded, sometimes because of your own fault, sometimes because of things beyond your control. But the confidence and experience a scared soldier has is priceless. They know what works in real battle, not just what works in the classroom. When they experience victory because of their experience they learn to trust the method and not the feeling.
A first time warrior is petrified of battle. It is the nature of man to be that way. Questions and doubts flood their mind that never have before because in real life they have everything to lose. What if this doesn’t work? What if we made a mistake? What if I am wrong? They can then deviate from the plan, disqualify themselves or worse, lose faith. But the solider who has seen the battle plans in action is able to face battle with much more confidence, not just because they know what can work in battle, but because they have the scars and experience to prove it.
APPLICATION
With the Christian life it is the same. Christians who have suffered and have scars from it have way more confidence in God. Yes, when they were in the vally and suffering it was/is the hardest times in life. BUT when you see God come through in these hard times and bring you out from death you learn to trust who God is vs. what you feel. The problem with many Christians today is that we want to walk with as little pain as possible. We don’t want to suffer. We don’t want to put ourselves on the line. What we want is to talk about our great faith without ever having to exercise it. We aren’t warriors of faith anymore. We are historians of faith. We talk about what others have done.
Today I realize what Peter says that when you have proof of your faith-a spiritual scar, than it is worth more than Gold. You don’t just know about God’s faithfulness, you KNOW GOD. When you face future battles you aren’t relying on a book but rather a source of power that you know actually works. In the beginning of my walk I wanted to not suffer and know God. Now that I have suffered I found that without it I’m not sure I would have ever known Him.. Was it painful? Yes. Do I want to experience that stuff again? NO. Is it worth it and would I do it again if I knew where I would be today? YES
PRAYER
Father, thank you for being faithful. THank you for my spiritual scars. Help me to be a warrior of faith and to not be afraid to suffer and wage war for you. Help me to lead others into battle and would you prove yourself to them that they may know you. Amen.
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