My friend Kenny York launched one of the fastest growing non-profit ministries I’ve ever seen. Manna Cafe is a mobile feeding ministry in my hometown. They take food to where the homeless and hungry live. It was amazing to watch them flourish in two fast moving years and I was happy to be a small part of it.
Recently Kenny and I were talking about his story. He has some “baggage” in his past. There were times of partying…a little more than most of us have partied. There was the period of homelessness. There were the days that were so dark he couldn’t even see any hope of future light.
He calls it his “wilderness experience”.
Many of us have similar stories, but they didn’t all run as deep as Kenny’s did.
Today Kenny is an ordained Gospel preacher. They call him Pastor Bubba and he is reaching people who will never enter most of our churches.
I’m so proud to call Kenny my friend.
Kenny said something in our conversation I thought was worth repeating. Perhaps it applies to you in your story. Maybe you are doubting the purpose for your struggles, or at least how God could ever use them for good. Perhaps you are in a leadership position, but you feel slightly unqualified because of your past. You fear if people knew the real you, they may not respect you…or even love you anymore.
Maybe Kenny’s story can help.
Kenny said:
Without my wilderness experience, I wouldn’t have the scars I needed to do what I’m doing right now.
Wow!
Have you ever thought of it that way?
Your scars have shaped you into who you need to be, so God could use you how you were designed to be used. The scars you are now developing, even though you can’t see it at this time, are achieving a greater glory that will someday be revealed.
You wouldn’t be who you are designed to be…without your scars.
He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
Are you at a point yet where you can see how God is using your scars?
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True Ron! The experience of wilderness helps a lot in shaping our course of life. Sometimes, wilderness helps us to refine ourselves and move more closer to God and surrender unto him.
It's happened for me.
Scar's are visible marks;
– Marks of ownership, as God's sheep He brands His ownership on us, Is 49:16
– Marks of healing, all healing leaves a scar, Is 53:5
– Marks of love, Prov 3:12, Heb 12:6
Blessings – Chet
Love this!
Twitter: bryankr
says:
I have often said, in teaching my kids, when we are saved, God calls our entire lives. He calls our worst fears, our greatest failures, greatest accomplishments, worst nightmares and greatest dreams! All these things make up who and what we really are. They make the loudest statement of God’s grace!
I like that. He redeems all of us!
The other interesting thing about scars is that they are usually stronger than the original skin. That is why "scar tissue" is so tough. Our scars make us stronger…even tho the wounds that cause them can be extremely painful.
Thanks for sharing this!
I like how you have pointed out that scars are 'stronger'….wow, needed that. Just a great blog today!
Great point! Love it.
Ron, this is so true… I preached a message last summer called "looking past to your future" and it was about how God wants us to use our past to minister to others and it was based on Rahab and how she never escaped her "title" of prostitute.
I think we often think as Christians we need to forget our past, but I believe God wants to use it not forget it.
Thanks! I've actually preached that about Rahab also. Love how the Bible shows us the scars.
Twitter: bryankr
says:
If you think about it, we can’t afford to forget our past. If we forget our past, we’ll forget the grace that brought us out!
Great point.
Twitter: Michaelenichols
says:
Great thought Ron. We can never be truly effective in life and ministry until we are broken.
Amen. Thank you.
I love the scripture that you have included with this post. I do believe God is using me to help others through my scars (that is why I've earned them right!). They do get 'picked' on occasion and have to re-heal, but when I stop and remember that God is using me to reach others, then I move on to do just that…it's when I focus on myself, the woe is me theory (selfish), that I fall again causing a new scar.
I'm going to memorize that scripture, thank you for the reminder that God loves me all the time. I needed this reminder today! Thanks Ron.
Awesome. Thanks Melissa
I think the scars have the potential for us being better "ministers" to others. They can humble us and help us be more sensitive to the needs of others. I think they also tend to make us less judgmental. Thanks ron.
I've often been reminded that Rahab kept her harlot title…even into the faith chapter.