“And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. “You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. “But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”  Ezekiel 2:6-8 NKJV

As I walk the path God has set before me, I find it loaded with injury and pain.  Well-meaning brothers and sisters question and condemn.  One misunderstanding leads to another and judgment ensues.  As a result my internal pain increases.  Emotionally and physically I find myself near the breaking point at times, wondering how much more I can take. 

I can relate to the words of Christ:  “You faithless people! How long must I be with you until you believe? How long must I put up with you? (Matthew 9:19 )    …How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”  (Matthew 23:37)

In the past I heard these words through the ears of exasperation and frustration, but now I see them only as words of love.  So often I see what could set people free from bondage, but due to unbelief there is no way to help.  (See Matthew 13:58)  Yet the pain I carry and the wounds I bear internally become the very scars that form the image of Christ within. 

Jesus Himself bore a crown of thorns.  He was wounded, bruised; and ultimately He carries scars throughout eternity because of His love for us.  They are not ugly scars; they are beautiful because each one says to all: I love you. 

Are you willing to take part in the fellowship of His sufferings?  Are you willing to love and hurt as He hurts?  At times your spirit will groan with pain as you are being stripped of the ways in which you walk according to the flesh.  Your physical well-being may be shaken to its very core, but press on toward the goal.  Follow the path your Shepherd has already walked ahead of you.  (John 10:4)  He walks with you and suffers with you.  The scars you carry, the thorns you bear, are the very hinge-points of His power as He forms His image in you and conforms you to Himself.  Only He can do this work in you, and He who has called is faithful.

Verses for Reflection:

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10