SEARCHLIGHT
Is it possible to have both good scars and bad scars?
SCRIPTURE
"THE LORD IS GOOD, A REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. HE CARES FOR THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM." NAHUM 1:7 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and a shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His mother was in the house looking out the window. She saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.
It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.
The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim, and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after many weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. But on his arms, were deep scratches where his Mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
After the trauma, a newspaper reporter asked the boy to show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs and then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms, I have great scars on my arms too. I have them because my Mom wouldn’t let go.”
You can identify with that little boy because you too have scars. They are not from an alligator or anything quite so dramatic. But they are scars from a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused you deep regret. However, some wounds are because God refused to let go of you. In the midst of your struggle, He has tightly held on to you.
The Jewish people living in the northern kingdom of Israel had turned their backs on God. They had waded into dangerous situations because they had wandered away from God. Assyria had captured them. Some were treated cruelly and others were taken into captivity. Nahum the prophet reminded them to turn to God and completely trust Him. In the Message, Nahum 1:7 states “God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble.”
Sometimes you may foolishly wade into the deep, dangerous waters of life where the currents are strong and peril is unseen. Never forget that God is good, God is your refuge and God will care for you when facing troubled times and painful situations. He will hang on to you when you face a battle. However, there is a condition. You must trust Him.
God loves you. If you trust Him, you are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. As you swim your way through life, you will face danger. You may even forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. If you trust Him in times of trouble, you will get scars. Some will be bad but there will be those that are good. The good scars will be His loving arms around you. Be very, very grateful. He did not and will not let you go.
My friend, Elsa, was born and raised in Latvia. Her country was invaded by the Russians and later the Germans followed by the Russians again. Elsa and her husband left everything they owned with their family and fled south. She and her family ended up in a camp for displaced people. Hardship was the only way to describe their life. Later, they were sponsored by a Christian family to come to the USA. Things began to change. As they worked and saved, they were able to get jobs and buy a home. Instead of having a green front lawn, Elsa turned it into a beautiful garden of many different types of flowers and fragrances. What had held her steady and constant? She described her life by quoting Nahum 1:7. Elsa let God show her how to plant flowers rather than live in the sadness of the past. And so can you!
SOMETHING TO DO
Reflection is very beneficial. Take a reflective moment to remember how God has brought you through hard times. Maybe you innocently wandered into peril or maybe you wandered away from God. Thank God for being good. He became your hiding place of refuge and cared for you all the time. Thank Him that He helped you to make a beautiful garden as Elsa did.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for always being good. You are a good, good Father. Yes, you really are because I can testify to how You have brought me through so many terrible, troubled times. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me how to plant flowers rather than live with sad memories. AMEN!