Day 27

Friday, March 19
Job 11-12, 1 Peter 2:21-25

Today's words come from Henri Nouwen and his definition of the wounded healer.

"Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not “How can we hide our wounds?” so we don’t have to be embarrassed, but “How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?” When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.

Jesus is God’s wounded healer: through his wounds we are healed. Jesus’ suffering and death brought joy and life. His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love. As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others."

One of the ways I’d describe my ministry is a wounded healer. I pray to be open with my struggles and my growth - and to give God praise for the restoration and renewal I have experienced.  Too many of us, for too long hide our wounds. I get that! Yet, the courage to heal comes from exposing them in safe spaces at first.

I draw strength from Jesus as the wounded healer. He held our wounds, suffered woundedness and through him salvation, glory, and wholeness are available to us today. We hold in tension the wounds and the healing.

It was Rumi who said “the wound is the place where the light enters you.” The image is beautiful. Yet, it is hard to believe and hope for this when the wounds can get scabbed over, hard, crusty, sore and painful. Let’s be careful not to glorify our wounds or Jesus’  Rather let us tend to them and in time allow God’s light to heal them, and eventually share the wound and the healing with others.

Consider the following:
What are my wounds?
How am I allowing God to heal me (often this is in community or with others)
If you feel healed, how are sharing your journey to wholeness with others?

I pray that these 40 days you feel the love and healing light of Jesus, the wounded healer. The one who understands deeply the journey you are on.

Reflection by Rev. Charity Goodwin