Scars from a Former Life

I made my way to my seat for Saturday evening worship service. As I sang the songs from my heart to God, my eyes drifted to notice a young man seated directly in front of me. Tattoos covered most of his visible body – face, neck, arms and hands. He wore a white tee that showed the ink beneath that covered his back. His hands were raised in surrender. He mouthed the lyrics to the lovely song of tribute to our Good, Good Father. His current posture was of honor to his Holy God. The ink on his skin spoke of a former, less-reverent life: Explicit language, symbols, and the exposed body parts of a woman – markings considered unflattering for a Christian to display.

As it often does, my heart began its conversation with God. No judgment. I’ve lived long enough to know God’s people come with scars from their former lives. This man’s scars were visible, and God used this encounter to speak to me about the invisible scars we carry.

He talked to me about myself. The scars of mistakes and failures… The scars of neglect and trauma… The scars of abuse and misuse… The scars of anxieties and self-hatred… Fear and shame… Hopelessness and discouragement… I came to God with all of these scars years ago. Yet, as far as I’ve moved away from the past, the scars from my former life sometimes show as clearly as this young man’s tattoos. They show in my internal struggles. They show in the reactions I have to things I face each day. They show in some of the choices I make.

God said, “Look around, Deven. It’s not just you. Everyone carries scars from a former life.”

Everyone.

“But these scars are why I’m here. They are why I sent my Son. These scars are why I died. I died so you can live. The scars are reasons to rejoice. Rejoice that your former life has passed away. You are new. You are no longer defined by your scars.”

I thought about Paul. Paul, who was once Saul, agreed that the killing of young Stephen was good. I’m sure he carried that scar from his former life. That scar was what caused him to become a loyal servant of the Most High. That scar was what made him willing to suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel. That scar earned him a record in the ancient and eternal scriptures.

I thought about Peter. Peter walked with his Lord…and denied Him three times. The scar from a former life, where he lacked the courage to be associated with his Savior, produced in him faith to become an original organizer of the Christian Church. That scar gave him the boldness to refuse to deny his God ever again. He dissented the orders of kings and rulers, risked his life, and died showing his faith and love to his God.

The scars from a former life have the most wonderful promises from God. Healing of wounds. Restoration of joy. Beauty for ashes.

With God, scars from a former life become badges of honor that display His glory. They prove His power to take a life and transform it into something greater, better, beautiful.