The book .006

I began reading chapter 6 of Margaret's book this morning. I was struck by some thoughts on page 103, 104. She says,

God will often use the church to expose that pain behind our bruises. For some, the pain may actually surface during a church service. A song lyric, a story, a Scripture verse, a phrase from the sermon, or the actual service itself reminds us of our woundedness. For others, it may be an interaction with someone else within the church. we find ourselves biting our lip to the pain of the past and of sins long hidden away.

No matter what causes the pain to surface, I believe its presence is actually a gift from the God who redeems. The pain acts as a wake-up call that it is time to begin the process of healing, repentance and forgiveness. The pain asks us to make a leap of faith that no matter what has happened nothing is beyond God's redeeming power. He can heal the deepest wound. He can restore the most messed-up lives. He can reach into the darkest corners of our past and shine his redeeming light.

We are invited to believe in a wildly infallible God.

At Sunnyside there have been a lot of people who have been bruised and even wounded. Someday we will live in a bruise-free zone, until then we need to ask God to heal and restore.