Moses stands as a powerful example of leadership, not because of his perfection, but because of his willingness to be used by God despite his flaws. Born into a world that sought his destruction, Moses’ life was marked by both failure and redemption. He made grave mistakes—like killing an Egyptian and later disobeying God’s command at Meribah—which ultimately kept him from entering the Promised Land. Yet, God continued to use Moses to guide the Israelites, reminding them of the covenant and calling them to faithfulness as they prepared to enter a new chapter in their history.
The call to obedience and distinctiveness is central. God’s commands are not to be altered or selectively followed; they are to be kept diligently, shaping a people who are set apart from the world around them. The Israelites were to resist the temptation to conform to the idolatrous practices of the nations they would encounter, just as followers of Christ today are called to resist being shaped by the patterns of this world. Paul’s exhortation to the Romans—to be transformed by the renewing of the mind—echoes this call to be formed by Christ rather than by culture.
Yet, the journey of faith is not without stumbling. Like the Israelites, we often falter, and our failures can leave scars—visible or hidden. But these scars are not to be sources of shame; rather, they become the very places where God’s grace and redemption shine most brightly. The Japanese art of kintsugi, which repairs broken pottery with gold, beautifully illustrates how God takes our brokenness and makes it a testimony to His glory. Our scars become our stories, and through them, others can see the beauty of God’s restorative work.
Even Jesus bore scars after His resurrection, inviting Thomas to touch them as proof of His love and victory. Our own scars, then, are enfolded in Christ’s, reminding us that we are forgiven, made new, and called to live as His distinct people. Each day is a new opportunity to walk in this identity, to pursue Christlikeness, and to let our stories of redemption point others to the hope we have in Him.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 (ESV) — > “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.”
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) — > “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
John 20:24-29 (ESV) — > (Jesus shows his scars to Thomas after the resurrection.)
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