I’m a new creation, but I still have scars.

A scar to remember the time I did not listen to my mom. A scar from an accident that I could not help. A scar for the times I did not believe God loved me.

Scars.

They don’t go away, but they do heal.

As I walk through the Muslim refugee camp, I am met with people bearing visible scars, right there, on their very faces. There is no possible way for these scars to be hidden. Times of violence, depression, and separation weather their faces. My heart griefs for these children. They have grown up in a place where they are taught that it is okay to act in violence. To return wrong with wrong. In affect, they are left with wounds both physically and internally. These beautiful children do not see the harm in their actions, but I see the deep wounds they have caused. So as I walk through the Muslim refugee camp, I mediate on these words,

“Father, let them see you in them.”

Our mediator, the Holy Spirit speaks and meets them where words cannot be spoken. In my eyes, this is one of the most amazing attributes of our God- He meets us exactly where we are. I look at these children’s scars and think of my own scars. How God met me where I was in times of tribulation. He does not once ask us to get ourselves together and then maybe he will show up. No, He comes to our rescue in the very moment we need Him.

Psalms 116:4-6

“Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘Lord, save me!’ The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.”

He saves all who come to Him and seek His will. I pray daily that these children come to know the Father. To know that they have a chance at a redemptive life in Him. That they have been adopted into His family because God’s power and unfailing love does not limit to only one kind of person. He died for ALL so that we may be reconciled to Him as His children.

This is Hudan- the one on the right, a little girl at the refugee camp, with some friends. She is one of the many children that God has created to become adopted into His kingdom. In God’s eyes, we are all called for a greater purpose- to live fearlessly for the gospel. Proclaiming the good news to all. You see, Hudan’s position in the kingdom is just as important as any of ours. God appointed all of us to live with Him in His glory, that’s how much He loves us. For the time being, our scars may tell a different story but in reality our scars show the testing of our faith. The redeeming work that God has done in us and for us.

Colossians 1:13-14

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”