While our culture celebrates drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity, so often these things are a facade for something much deeper and darker going on inside of us. A desperate attempt to escape our responsibilities or numb overwhelming pain or avoid problems or distract us from reality.
We see this on a weekly basis in our ministry. Men and women utterly enslaved to fear, addiction, avoidance. Darkness. Brokenness. Despair.
But there is incredibly good news, that what the world sees is not what Christ sees! The truth is, we are all broken and the ground at the cross is level. We all bear the scars from this broken world and Jesus is the only one who can satisfy the deepest longings of our heart. Jesus himself bears the scars, to this day, attesting to the ultimate sacrifice He gave for sinners (Isaiah 53:2b-5). He bears the scars that set us free. He willingly laid down His life to heal and redeem us!
Because of this glorious truth, no amount of baggage can ever separate a person from the redeeming power of Jesus Christ. And in a peculiar way, the scars we have can become constellations that proclaim God’s saving grace. Though the scars of trauma and pain are great, the Savior is infinitely greater. Though the afflictions seem insurmountable, His grace and power to deliver comfort is readily available. And as broken men and women run into the arms of the Redeemer, He applies the healing balm so desperately needed, delicately and gently.
Only Jesus can reach the deepest and darkest depths of our souls and redeem what is hollow and dead (Luke 19:10). Jesus: the lover of our souls, healer of our wounds, and champion of our hearts.
Written by Scarlet Hope Volunteer, Kristen
