What We All Need

I think we were all in disbelief as we watched a dark and menacing cloud of smoke consume our city. It was a scene straight out of Hollywood. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, the Waldo Canyon wildfire, fueled by 65 mph winds and extremely dry conditions, hurdled the containment lines, skipped across Queen’s Canyon, and reared its ugly head for all in Colorado Springs to see. 

Photo: John Wark

The fire showed no sign of slowing down as it raced down the slope and began its devastation within our city limits. When the smoke cleared and all was said and done, the fire had killed two people, burned 346 homes, and forced 32,000 people to evacuate. 

While the community pulled together and demonstrated great resiliency—many are currently in the rebuilding process—a visual reminder of the devastation remains as a burn scar now replaces the once vibrant mountains. Trees are no longer clothed with life; they are scorched, naked, and resemble splintered toothpicks. Some of the cooked soil looks like it was carted in from the deepest regions of hell.  

I stood in the World Prayer Center this morning, joined by several other people who had gathered to worship and pray during New Life Church’s 21 Days of Prayer initiative, and watched the sun slowly rise and cast its beautiful light upon the mountains.

There was very little snow visible to the right or left of the burn area, but the scar itself had a layer of snow resting upon it. The snow looked like medicine from heaven covering the scorched earth and making the blackened soil appear beautiful. It was truly beauty from ashes--which is something God is quite good at creating.

The snow on the burn scar was a powerful visual of what God desires to do in our lives. He desires to place a layer of fresh snow on our scars! He wants to place His healing medicine on the parts of our hearts that have been burned. While the heavens didn’t open, nor did I hear a booming voice from above, It was still clear in my heart that God was speaking. In essence, He was saying, This is what I want to do this year. I want my love, kindness, grace, and healing to rest upon the scars of My people. 

God always has been and always will be a healer. He’s in the business of binding up the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to captives, comforting those who mourn, and creating beauty from ashes. (Isaiah 61)

He's worked wonders in my heart, and I'm deeply grateful for the healing I've experienced, but I also believe He's not done. He wants to bring about an even deeper level of healing and wholeness within me. He wants the same for you. God desires for you to taste of a freedom that leaves you speechless. An important aspect of this process is healing your scars--and I've never met anyone who doesn't have at least a few.

 I’m also aware of human tendency. When we experience pain, the last thing we want to do is allow anyone near it—including God. Our initial reaction is to bury it and hope it goes away. As nice as that would be, it's simply not reality. Our buried pain quickly works against us as it eventually hardens our hearts and makes us numb in certain areas. Unaddressed pain also creates a scenario where people often adopt dysfunctional behaviors because they are simply acting out their stifled emotions. This can lead to heavy chains of addiction and a plethora of other negative possibilities. It's easier said than done, but a much better option is to allow God to deal with our hurt.

But, isn’t God the one who caused the pain? Can He really be trusted? I’ve heard these questions several times in counseling sessions. Honestly, I’ve asked these questions myself in the past. While I don't have all the answers to the events that caused your pain, I do believe God is the life-giver, not the destructive thief.

He is the same God who gave His one and only Son for you. He’s the same God who endured the brutality of Roman crucifixion. He was cursed, spit upon, beaten, lashed, pierced with a crown of thorns, and eventually nailed to a cross--where many think He actually died of a broken heart.

And it’s through His suffering that we experience healing. He was broken so we can be made whole. This is the good news of the Gospel, and it’s available to all who open their hearts to Him—despite anything you’ve done.

I’m full of anticipation for 2013. I believe this will be a year where many people experience healing and wholeness.The price has already been paid; now it's time to receive what He purchased on your behalf. 

May we possess the courage to ask God to reveal the areas of our lives that need healing. Let's open our hearts and invite His healing hands to bring life to the places that need it the most. 

I think there's snow in the forecast.