Wounded…

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What an amazing day we had today: we went to Capernaaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Primacy of Peter, we sailed on the Sea of Galilee and we ended the day at Magdala.

There are almost too many emotions to describe at this point. I think, though, that I was most struck by the Primacy of Peter.

Our excellent guide, Avie Gal, spoke eloquently about the fact that though John was the disciple Jesus loved, Peter was the one he chose to build his church upon. Avie pointed out that Peter had made mistakes. He’d denied Jesus three times. He’d turned away. He knew what it was to fail. Therefore, Peter would have compassion for the imperfections of others. And he would know that a leader doesn’t have to be perfect. Especially in the church – a leader must be passisonate about Jesus, but not perfect. Often it is our woundedness that makes us good leaders of the church – for the wounded need healing and Jesus is the intimate healer.

That need to lean on God is what makes for the most profound faith journey – one that can impact others in ways we cannot imagine.

For me, that is a profound encouragement. That Jesus calls us not in spite of our woundedness but because of it. Because he knows the things that can only be birthed in a leader through pain and failure: compassion, empathy, and a deep need for God’s presence.

This Lent may you know that Jesus knows the things that you’ve done wrong, the doubts you have about yourself. But Jesus calls you to serve, and to allow Him to shine through you.

Below: Me, on the shore at The Primacy of Peter, Mom and Dad on the shore, Sarah McCaig with her feet in the Sea of Galilee.