My birthday is coming up in just a few days and I will be “double nickel”. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little bit hard to accept. I’ve been asking myself: “How did this happen?” “Wasn’t it just the 80’s with big hair and shoulder pads?” I had a rude awakening the other day when I was listening to the radio and the DJ announced that the song, “Whip It” was over 40 years old. I thought it was new wave! And how did I suddenly become one of the older folks at work? I’m now hiring new employees the age of my kids.
When I look in the mirror each day, I see new lines, spots, gray hair, and even an occasional chin hair. Instead of trying to cover them up (except the hair of course), I prefer to look at them as battle scars. We all accumulate scars as we live our lives, some physical and some emotional. I certainly have collected a few! I am proud of my scars as I see them as things that God has helped or is helping me overcome. Yes, they have caused me pain. But through this pain, I have grown in wisdom, perspective and spirituality.
I love the message from the song, Flawless:
“No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises,
No matter the scars, still the truth is
The cross has made, the cross has made you flawless.
No matter the hurt or how deep the wound is,
No matter the pain, still the truth is
The cross has made, the cross has made you flawless.”
One day, all of our scars and pain will be completely gone and we will be at peace. He will make us perfect and beautiful, inside and out. Until that day, we can use our battle scars for His glory to spread the gospel and help others going through similar struggles.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4
