Have you ever wondered how much stronger we are when we face life’s challenges together? God gifted each of us uniquely, and just like the various parts of the physical body, our gifts complement each other’s, proving that we are truly better together.
As I reflect on the friends and ministry team members the Lord has brought my way, I’m amazed at the variety of gifts, talents, and personalities He has created.
Writing, speaking, researching, sewing, assembling, decorating, praying, encouraging, and more. None of them more important than the other, but all a valuable contribution. And all precious to me, for truly He has shown me I can’t do it alone. We are better together!
Celebrating Our Unique Identities: United by Sacred Scars
Each of us carries ‘sacred scars’— marks of the trials and hardships we’ve endured. These scars are not just reminders of pain but are sacred because they testify to our resilience and God’s grace in healing and using our experiences for greater purposes. Just as our personal struggles leave us with these sacred scars, the disciples Jesus chose to walk alongside and do ministry with Him were marked by their own unique trials and triumphs.
Each brought different skill sets and trades. While we don’t hear much about them using those skills once they started their ministry with Jesus, I imagine they still did. Some were probably relied on for their fishing abilities, others for their prowess with money, etc. It just reminds me how there is no need for comparison. God has gifted each of us uniquely for a reason, and just like the various parts of the physical body, our gifts — and our scars — complement each other’s.
Scriptural Insights: Better Together as One Body
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” (Romans 12:4-6)
Sharing Our Stories: We are Better Together
By sharing our sacred scars, we not only find healing for ourselves but also provide hope and guidance for others, reflecting the truth that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11.) Each story of pain and recovery can inspire faith and courage, reinforcing our message that indeed, we are better together. Our varied experiences, seasoned with trials and graced with healing, enable us to support one another in more meaningful ways. By sharing our stories and the wisdom gained from our scars, we strengthen the whole, illustrating how every challenge has been an opportunity to reflect God’s glory through our lives.
I encourage you to share your own sacred scar stories. When we share our testimonies of the struggles we’ve endured and how we triumphed, we encourage others in their journeys. Your story could be the key that unlocks someone else’s prison of pain. Will you share your testimony and join us in proving once again that we truly are better together?
Because of Him, #HopePrevails
#BetterTogether
Every gift has its place and purpose. None is more crucial than another. Celebrate the uniqueness of our talents and see how we all contribute to a stronger body. #BetterTogether Share on X Comparison fades when we recognize that God gifted each of us uniquely for a reason. Let's embrace our individual strengths and come together in unity. #BetterTogether Share on X
Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise that Your Pain is Not Wasted
Now Available for Pre-Order
We all endure trials, pain, and hardship in this life. Too often we believe these experiences disqualify us from being useful to God. But the truth is, your past pain and brokenness serve as preparation for what God wants to do in and through you – if you will surrender to and trust him.
Just as Jesus’s scars didn’t disappear after his resurrection, our emotional or physical scars tell our story and lend credence to our testimony of God’s love and power. If you are ready to turn your past pain into present comfort and future hope, let Dr. Bengtson be your compassionate guide.
Free Bonus Gifts available when you Pre-Order by June 24, 2024.
Find out more and pre-order here: Sacred Scars
There is so much power in fellowship! When we all work together, bringing our gifts together in unity, we open the door to Christ’s light!
That is so true. But remember, the disciples argued too, and that would be great to overcome as believers.
There is such truth to this. We are all better together because we all have strengths and weaknesses in different areas. I also always think that the world would be a really boring place if we were all the same. (like if the whole world was filled with people exactly like me) Our differences are what help us learn and grow together. Thanks so much for sharing!
We are better together: ALL WAYS AND ALWAYS.
So true… it is way too easy to compare ourselves to others or to criticize… realizing that we all do the work of our Lord… and each have a purpose sure can help. 🙂
No need, amen. This was the theme of our VBS this year: “Uniquely Wired, Wonderfully Made!”
My husband and I are always saying “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together…” Fellowship (especially Christian fellowship) is so encouraging and needed. And if it’s not encouraging we need to reevaluate the fellowship we are having!
Michele, So true! I love this because it reminds me we are working together, each with his or her own unique place in the bigger picture of what God is doing. By the way, I love your image, too. We are a musical family and fiddles and guitars are right up our alley! Blessings to you! Visiting from #graceandtruth
This blog and reading your new book on the digital copy for the launch team, I have thought much about the Sacred Scars that I have. I endured and recovered from a serious illness in the 80’s; I helped my hubby recover from a couple of serious illnesses in 2014 of which I had emotional scars; I have scars from injuries and scars from 2 joyous births of my children and many other wounds and ultimate scars until today where I am in the process of my heart healing from the loss of my hubby. All of these scars have a beautiful testimony to go along with them but the pain was real and I still have pain and a broken heart but scars are coming which means healing is happening. Thank you,, dear Michelle, for writing your book for you have brought into my heart and life a new insight and perspective on the scars we have through our life. I will never look at a scar, my scars, the same.