bruises 1--02-2025

Not long ago I had a door slam against my arm. No serious injury but it did leave a nasty bruise. For the most part, as I went about my day, I hardly noticed any discomfort. But every now and then I’d bump against the bruise and "ouch", the pain was still there. Eventually the tenderness eased and the bruise faded leaving no evidence of an injury at all. But some bruises, like a bruised ego, a bruised relationship, a bruised reputation, a bruised trust, these bruises often linger, sore spots that when touched resurface the pain. One option is to bury the bruise till a hard callous forms, and forms us along with it. Or expose our bruise to God’s healing: Jesus. Jesus, who knows how to navigate all our bruises offering justice and hope. (Isaiah 42:1-4) “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”  The memory may linger, but in Jesus the pain will fade eventually leaving no mark. PK