Slowly I unfurled the ace bandage and
the gauze wrap beneath to reveal a purple strip of stitches bisecting
the palm of my hand. My heart throbbed in the fleshy pads to either
side of the one-inch long incision laced together with black poly
thread. Through the rouge of antiseptic wash and shimmering
antibiotic ointment, I could still see my mark: “BB”. Both pain
and pen proved that they operated on the correct hand I had
autographed two days earlier. And hidden beneath the stitches was the
signature of the physician who signed my palm as well. Glad we agreed
and thankful for his expertise. I gave permission. The surgeon made
the incision. And he assures me the scar and the healing will be
worth it.
I'm trusting not from surgical
experience, but from supernatural encounters where God cut into my
life in order to make me better. At times it has come unexpectedly;
not planned like this outpatient procedure. Often, His whittling has
even gone undetected for months on end. Then one day the realization
hits that God has been operating.
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches
you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
(Isaiah 48:17b-c)
The Lord may choose to cut deeply,
severing circumstances or poisonous people from your life. He may
remove one, then transplant something or someone more vital for your
growth or survival. The Lord is the Great Physician, not just for
wounds and worries. He knows how to make perfect! But sometimes the
cuts hurt terribly before they ever prove worth it.
The difficult part is surrendering to
the Healer's authoritative touch. It helps to know that He bears each
blow unto Himself. “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my
hands...” promises the Lord. (Ish. 49:16) No matter how deep the
cut, it's comforting to know God bears the brunt. For every sin He
seeks to scrape from our lives; for each curse we bring upon
ourselves, He suffered and died. He was cut and cursed, beaten and
pierced that we might have life.
Yes, one small track across my palm
reminded me of pain in my past. And it also reminded me of the scars
on my Savior's hands.
As David described the crucifixion
years in advance of this death penalty yet to be created, he
prophesied as the Lord Himself: “Dogs have surrounded me; a band of
evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I
can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide
my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” (Psalm
22:16-18)
And this same David also knew the
Savior of the future would be near him in his present moment. “But
you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.”
(vs. 19) And then the psalmist would write of the timeless comfort of
this Savior Surgeon who was also a Shepherd.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me
beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow o death, I will fear no evil, for you are with
me...” (Ps. 23:1-4)
God never cuts and then leaves. He
cuts, cures, teaches, restores and heals as He lingers near. All of
it is intended for our benefit, that we might lack nothing. If I
study closely, I'll find underneath every scar in my life is the
signature of an expert I have chosen to trust into eternity. Yes, I'd
say every last one of them was worth it in order to know such love
from One who desires nothing but what's best for me.
I am engraved in the palm of His hand
and so are you. May every scar in your life remind you of such a
healing and comforting truth.
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