By your wounds...

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
~ John 20:27

Thomas knew Jesus because of the wounds that he saw.

Woundedness is something that we all know a little something about.  Years ago I wrote a piece entitled, "The Wounded Person"

Once there was a wound
that was unique, because it was mine.
I wore it on the inside
and I had lived with this wound for a long time.

I did not realize at the time, but
I wanted to be free from this wound.
No longer could I ignore this wound,
but it became an ache that would not stop.
If I were truthful, I'd say
that I had an appreciation for this wound.
The more I noticed the wound,
the more I became vulnerable to God.

Deep within me
something greater was developing.
The emerging wound was also
nurturing faith,
daring me to reach deeper, and to
touch this wound, apply healing measures
slowly being brought into the light,
where others would see
and know my woundedness.

One day, without realizing,
I reached in and touched this wound.
A grace I couldn't see
flowed through me,
and began to fill this place,
where my wound lived.

"I'm afraid!" I cried,
while claiming wholeness.
The wound had left me,
and my faith had turned to belief,
taking the wound's place.
I have not lost my appreciation
for the wound that made it possible
for me to know the
mercy that now I hold.

Our woundedness occurs in ways that others recognize, and then, in very secret and dark places as well, that only our heart seems to know.  

I wish that I could say that I understand what healing and wholeness completely looks like, and how to overcome the obstacles that keep us from receiving these things, but even in Christ's woundedness, he was able to help Thomas.

I cherish this moment between Jesus and Thomas.  It is a reminder to me that we can only hope, sometimes, that what we encounter will help us.  For some, there are wounds that will not ever heal.  In these situations, the grace in which the wounds are shared must encounter wholeness in a unique and special way that sometimes, only God can address.

In those times, remaining in God's grip is all we can hope for...

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2018