[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 12/December/2021]
Several weeks ago, when I was feeling wounded by my experiences of respite fostering and thinking of giving up, I asked God to show me clearly if he wanted me to continue. Within a day I received 3 signs that I should carry on, one of which was finding the poem below, written by Amy Carmichael, who worked as a missionary for many years in India.
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I see thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; I swooned
And was rent by ravening beasts that compassed Me,
Hast thou no wound?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master must the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?
Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”
[John 16 v33 NIVUK]
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Contributed by Helen Ruffhead; © the Author
