Bruised

Listening to a song by Michael W. Smith, “New Hallelujah” (a longtime favorite of mine) brought some thoughts to mind. I love this song. I enjoy playing it while driving my Jeep and singing at the top of my lungs. It’s a spiritual event for me. 

But this time when I was singing, new thoughts came to me. When I heard the lyrics, “Make Him known, and make Him famous, sing it out, sing a new hallelujah” I got goosebumps and I heard the word, “bruised” in my spirit. I knew instantly what it meant. 

The last several months have been a time of healing from being “bruised,” for my husband, Vernon, and myself. But mostly him. 

This story began a long time ago. A time when a young man felt a strong calling into ministry, into leading others towards Christ. It began so well. It began with much motivation and excitement. Years brought more wonderful, but it also brought struggles. Struggles that would remain silent to many but deafening to one man. These struggles lasted throughout the almost 30 years of ministry until one day it all stopped. Suddenly and abruptly. 

Since that day the bruise has been extremely painful. As bruises do, the colors changed and the deep pain waned, then very slowly it continued to fade. 

The point of all this is to say that decisions and actions can cause pain and bruising. The “New Hallelujah” means that continued faith in God heals the pain and the bruises!  

The bruised feeling is replaced with God’s blessings and protection. 

Never once during this time of healing has faith in God been tainted by the bruise. Not once has there been doubt of God’s unfailing love and security. Not once was there any temptation to sway away from God or from serving Him. 

How we serve Him is what continues to change. As the bruise fades, the service to God brightens and life moves on. Life moves on joyously and excitedly. 

God heals the bruise. 

“Make Him known, and make Him famous, sing it out, sing a New Hallelujah!” The calling continues, and it fades the bruise.