Director | Theresa Castro
Theme | Beautiful Scars
Date | October 20-22, 2023
Weekend Song | Scars by I Am They
Weekend Verse
John 16:33
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
When we were children, we would fall, bump or cut ourselves (Some of us more than others!). Many times, these cuts would leave a lasting mark and become scars. Some people would cover their scars or try to make them go away with creams or ointments. Others chose to bear them as badges of honor.
Spiritually, it’s the same. We can be wounded in so many different ways. There are times when something is done TO us by someone else which leaves us feeling abandoned, abused or broken and causes a lasting wound. Or maybe words are spoken over us that cut deeper than a knife and leave their mark on our heart. At other times, we hold onto guilt or shame from mistakes that we have made (or are currently making). These self-inflicted wounds can be just as painful as ones caused by others. I have witnessed men and women that have been wounded, sometimes in their early childhood, that have carried these wounds their entire lives. They bring this wound with them – bleeding, open and festering. This wound then becomes part of who they are – their identity. It hurts my soul so deeply to see a beautiful son or daughter of a Mighty God stay in the grave that the enemy has dug for them.
Jesus’ wounds caused His death on that cross. But “Take Heart,” because He didn’t stay there. Our Savior overcame death, and His wounds were transformed into scars that He uses to this day to glorify God. Now, when the enemy wounds us, Jesus can heal us and then our scars can also be used to Glorify God.
My hope and prayer is that God’s theme for this weekend speaks to these young ladies (and the team) so that they can get out of that grave and live in the freedom that God planned for them. That they will boldly step out in God’s name and proudly bear their scars and pass on the comfort they received from God to others (2 Corinthians 1:4). The wounds that God has healed need to be worn as Badges of Honor! Praise God that we don’t have to stay broken or wounded, “He has overcome the world” and we get to be warriors in His army!
