Scratch and Dent

Likening life to a used car, the more miles we travel the more we can expect scratches and dents; outwardly and inwardly. As I’m travelling down this leg of the journey, I vainly attempt to disguise the years with with a little body work - cosmetics and hair color. Knees are definitely stiffer. If I turn wrong, the back will go into a spasm that leaves me temporarily stooped and crooked. Ahh, the “ravages of time” have set in. A few dents are just the results of getting older. Others are due to having lived life in the fast lane. In the last fourteen months I’ve acquired plenty of scars with cancer treatments. While “new rides” are shiny and eye catching, used cars like mine have the marks of endurance hinting at an interesting expedition.  

Trials really do test our metal, test the character and prove our road worthiness, so to speak. An unproven vehicle may not be able to withstand the first brush with danger,  but the one built to last can endure many hardships. As previously stated, any strength or endurance I’ve found to stay in this race is positioned in Christ alone; I cannot and will not claim any credit.  Consider then what God’s Word says about the need for a good foundation, built upon the rock of Christ Jesus. “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.” (Psalm 40:2) We are nothing without Jesus! Only He can form and conform us to successfully overcome danger and harm. The Apostle Paul who called himself the least of the apostles said this about trials: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)

We see here the mention of the outward evidence of adversity, as well as the inward bruising and injury wrought by the desire to live godly in a fallen world. This type of scarring not so easily seen can cause those who’ve tried to build their lives in pursuit of worldly pleasures to eventually crash and burn. The life built on the truth of God’s Word however can persevere through sorrow and suffering knowing eternity with Christ awaits and nothing on earth can compare to the glory that will be revealed. (1 Peter 5:1) Oh yes, how much seemingly simpler life would be without the bumps in the road, without the rebuff, and rejection that comes with seeking to live a life pleasing to God. Yet this fire further refines us and produces a character that continues to love on others the way Jesus did (even) when His journey took Him all the way to Calvary’s cross where He said: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)    

Few get through this life without battle scars of some kind. Be encouraged that Jesus knows the reason behind this season in your life and will continue traversing the highway with you, upholding you each mile you are destined to go. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”(1 Peter 1:6,7) “Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved. For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!”  (Psalm 66:8-10, 19-20)

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

To receive automatic email updates of new posts, send an email request to: comfortinchrist@googlegroups.com