Original Entry: March 4, 2008
McMinnville, OR
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:10-11
Have you ever notice that guys like scars.
Just last week I was speaking to a group of men in Colorado when two of them began having a “Scar off” at dinner. I listened thinking I might be able to compete but kept my mouth shut with one guy pointed to the scar n his forehead and said, “This scar was so the doctors could remove my face!”
I surrender!
Guys like showing off their war wounds and telling “broken bone” stories. Last October several of us were heading to a Dave Ramsey Conference in Portland when we received a phone call from one of James’ football coaches.
“You need to get over here. I am pretty sure James just broke his arm.”
Five minutes later found us picking up our clammy faced son, drenched from the Oregon rain or sweat (we could not tell), cranked up the heater to keep from going into shock, and headed to the ER to set a broken arm.
The other day James proudly said, “Dad, come listen to this. Whenever I pull my arm you can hear it pop!”
“That’s cool!” I affirmed, “Listen to how my wrist (broke it playing football in 1983) pops when I bend it!”
Just another male bonding moment in the Ramos household! If we had the time I would show you how my neck does not turn all the way to the left, the stitch scared right hand, left thumb, right side, upper lip, chin and the 12” left knee surgery scar. I would tell you broken nose stories, the story of my compound dislocation of my right middle finger while catching, show you my kidney stones, dislocated right elbow at Hayward state, broken fibula at St. Mary’s, blown out my knee, and the recent collar bone and two broken ribs while playing football with some youth group guys.
Story after story would point to pain, wounds and perseverance. Scar after scar symbolizes a moment of pain and ultimate healing.
As I studied James 5:11 I got stuck on the phrase, “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” Then why would God allow Satan to wreck Job’s life. Where was God’s “compassion and mercy” when Job lost his family and worldly possessions. Where is God’s mercy in the midst of tragedy?
Where is His compassion in the midst of suffering?
The answer is as simple as a scar. The answer is found on the other side of the wound.
Romans 8:28 tells us that “God works all things to the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” God knows that the means affect the end. God will allow suffering so that “perseverance (will) finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).
Paul experienced a lot of pain in his life, including his ultimate execution but listen to what he writes, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).
God’s mercy and compassion come as God walks with a man through his pain so that when he reaches the other side he might will be able to return to walk with others with similar pain, and will have the scars to prove it!.
Find those who are not on the other side of you scars, go back and help them. A scar is nothing more than a reminder that a wound has been healed.
