If you have ever shared a shovel with me, or a post hole digger, a bale of hay, a hammer or a saw, you know the saying: if I didn’t bleed, did the job really get done? Before I headed out to face even the simplest of tasks, our daughter would make sure Band-aids were close by, and usually, they were necessary.
Before hydrogen peroxide, mercuro-chrome (lovingly remembered as monkey blood), or even Bactine sprayed in a skinned knee, they used alcohol, salt or even ashes to cleanse a wound. And it hurt, thus the saying – rubbing salt in an old wound.
Yet some wounds cut much deeper than neo-sporin and a Band-Aid could fix.
In the deepest corners of my heart, memories dwell, things I’ve done, or should have done, festering like wounds unattended. Imagination allows wrongs or perceived wrongs to run wildly off the tracks, fighting battles I may never face, and still leaving scars deeper than any blade could reach.
Errant thoughts that seemed to have had little effect return in my weakest moments, exposed in the light of the Spirit, and burn as if cleansing something unrepented.
Gold and silver must endure intense heat to be purified, and iron must do the same to be moldable in the hands of a blacksmith, becoming stronger and in some usable form.
Realization, confession, and repentance are difficult and leave behind a stain, an ember that could quickly reignite the memory, burning deeper into my soul.
The only true cleansing is the Wound of wounds, the Scar of scars, the Blood of bloods. Jesus. Our Savior. The Son of God, sacrificed for me … and for you.
God knew we could never atone for our failures so; He made a way. And through the precious Blood of Christ, He sees us as holy, while I see only a reflection of my imperfect, unworthy self.
Lord, I am thankful for Your Grace, Your Mercy, Your patience, and for the lessons I try so hard to avoid. Help me find the broken pieces I’ve swept under the rug and expose them in Your Light, even if painful, that I may surrender them at Your feet. Fill the empty spaces with what is true, honorable, and pleasing in Your sight that one day, I may simply be a reflection of what You see in me.
Amen …
If these words have been a blessing, pass them along to another who needs to hear. Reach out to me at John@LiftedKeys.com and tell me your story. I would love to know where and in what way God has guided His words through my pen.
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