Healing Work

Read Revelation 21:1-5

But our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ is; and we are looking forward to his return from there. When he comes back he will take these dying bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer all else everywhere. Philippians 3:20-21 (TLB)

Larry Scanlan lives in Maryland. in 2020, he had basal cancer cells surgically removed from his face. To shrink and flatten the visible scar, Larry had to massage it several times a day. He also had to wear a medical silicone sheet over the scar for 23 hours a day. in other words, removing the scar required effort from Larry.

This experience led Larry to think about the varied scars we have in our lives. Some scars are visible, but most Larry believes are not - scars from abandonment, abuse, regrets from poor choices, or disobedience to God's word. He is thankful for doctors who can remove bad cells or counselors who can help us uncover pain deep inside us. But Larry is most thankful that our Lord has already done the work of healing scars of spiritual separation. Larry can't work hard or long enough to heal himself or to earn his way into God's presence. Neither can any of us. Jesus, thankfully, did that work on the cross, offering forgiveness for our sins and healing our scars.

Some scars will always be part of us. But God promises that those who love and believe in Christ will receive a new body in heaven - where our scars, be they visible or invisible, will be no more (See Rev. 21:4). What an amazing promise!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us cast our cares and fears on you. We trust you to sustain us until the day we are in your eternal presence, in Jesus' name. Amen.