Today at one of our meetings a lady (whom we dearly love) turned up looking like she had just spent a few rounds in the boxing ring.
In fact she had fallen over on her way and had somewhat bravely (or perhaps unwisely) continued to the meeting on the bus when an ambulance looked like a more suitable method of transportation. We are surely not supposed to turn up at meetings with scars. Or are we?
The Bible makes little pretence that following that guy with the cross is going to be easy. Chapters like 1 Peter 3 appear discouraging to the contemporary ear that is used to relentlessly positive input.
Yet the wounds (not the self inflicted careless ones of course) of the believer are the badges of allegiance, a direct link to the One we follow. Here's Amy Carmichael's take on the theme:
In fact she had fallen over on her way and had somewhat bravely (or perhaps unwisely) continued to the meeting on the bus when an ambulance looked like a more suitable method of transportation. We are surely not supposed to turn up at meetings with scars. Or are we?
The Bible makes little pretence that following that guy with the cross is going to be easy. Chapters like 1 Peter 3 appear discouraging to the contemporary ear that is used to relentlessly positive input.
Yet the wounds (not the self inflicted careless ones of course) of the believer are the badges of allegiance, a direct link to the One we follow. Here's Amy Carmichael's take on the theme:
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?
No wound, no scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And, piercéd are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wound, nor scar?
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