Every scar has a story – just not necessarily a good one.

I might have the dumbest scar you’ve ever seen. Each year my school had a ceremony honoring the top students. In the 6th grade I got called out of class early along with my friend Kevin to go to this Honors Night practice.

I was pretty excited about the privilege. Well, at least the getting out of class part. As Kevin and I headed toward the practice, I pushed open the door outside with a joyful burst of strength.

What I didn’t count on as I used all of my force was the force of the door as it swung back. Just as quickly as I had flung it open the door bounced off the wall and slammed back into me, crushing my glasses right into my face.

I hit the ground taking a back bump Mick Foley would be proud of. My friend Kevin helped me to my feet and asked me if I was ok.

“Yeah, yeah I’m good,” I said,  “but my eye really hurts.” Of course, no one who ever says they’re “good” after a fall is anywhere close to “good”.

As I got up I looked over to Kevin whose mouth slowly dropped as he blurted out, “Dude, you’re bleeding!”

He was right. I had blood pouring down my face. I ended up getting six stitches and I now own the nerdiest scar ever.

Every time I look in the mirror I get reminded of what a foolish kid I was. You can’t erase your scars.

Scars rarely come from positive stories either. We don’t wish to be cut up, bloodied, and bruised, needing stitches to heal our bodies back together.

Scars are marks of our mistakes. They point out the moments our bodies and minds failed us. But they can also be cause for celebration.

I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of our Liberating King because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Our scars point us to a perfect healer – a savior who is never flawed and yet forever scarred. When Jesus was resurrected, He appeared to his disciples fully alive yet still baring the wounds of His crucifixion. The disciples saw the holes in the hands of Jesus and knew He was who He said He was. They understood what He had done. His wounds were healed but Jesus bore the scars of a battle with sin.

Jesus makes up for our mistakes. Our scars draw us closer to Him. We become strong through our weakness, finding our true strength in God. Hiding your scars will not heal them. Embracing your scars will empower you.

At the end of the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, the title character Jamal kisses Latika, the girl he has been chasing after for years. He doesn’t kiss her lips though – he kisses the scar on her face. Her scar represents the conflicts which tore them apart and led them together. Without the conflict they endured over their lives, their love story would not be so powerful.

Hiding your scars will not heal them. Embracing your scars will empower you.

Your scars tell your story. They embody imperfection and reflect a perfect healer. Kiss your scars, thanking God for the reminder of His strength in your weakness.

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What do your scars say about you? How has God used your weakness to tell His story?