Remember the Scars
John Gordon was a respected general for
the South in the Civil War. After the war, he was running
for the United States Senate, but a man who had served under
him in the war, angry over some political incident, was
determined to see him defeated. Everyone knew this man would
fight Gordon's bid to become a senator.
During the convention, he angrily stamped down the aisle
with his anti-Gordon vote in hand. As he saw Gordon sitting
on the platform, he noticed how his once handsome face was
disfigured with the scars of battle -- marks of his
willingness to suffer and bleed for a cause he believed in.
The old soldier was stricken with remorse. Overcome with
emotion, he exclaimed, “It’s no use; I can’t do it. Here’s
my vote for John Gordon.” Then, turning to the general, he
said, “Forgive me, General. I had forgotten the scars.”
What a difference it makes in our lives when we remember the
scars! With so many things to distract us, we don't often
take time each day to reflect on what Jesus went through on
the cross for us. But, when we are tempted to stray, it is a
remembrance of Christ's sacrifice that has the power to draw
us back to him.
"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon him,
and by his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
May I encourage you this morning to take a moment to pause
and "remember the scars".
Alan Smith
alansmith@boone.net
www.TFTD-online.com