Stains and Marks

I used to think that stains were a bad thing. Stains on clothes and stains on carpet; grass and mud stains: not things I particularly liked seeing. And as far as I was concerned, “marks” didn’t trail far behind. Who is happy to come out and see a mark on your car door, giving you a reminder of how uncomfortably cozy we can get in the parking lots of our lives?

But I think I’ve come around on the whole idea. Stains and marks have now taken on a new and refreshing place in my thinking. Looking back, I now have to admit that certain stains and marks have made an indelible, profound impact on my life.

For example, on my last trip to Washington I stood in line for several hours to gaze upon stains left on parchment. Lines formed outside the building and down the block, each of us waiting for an opportunity to carefully examine the loops, streaks and dots written several hundred years ago by our founding fathers. We were not necessarily fascinated by the actual stains inked onto the Declaration of Independence, but rather what they gave evidence of: notice to the world that we turned the corner to a new day. Evidence of a stake being placed in the ground. A proclamation of a new direction with new ideas and new ideals. Yes, I have to admit, these particular stains on this particular piece of paper are mighty important to me.

I think about the stains and marks of my spiritual life, and how G_d has used stains and marks to forever change the world.

*** I imagine G_d using his finger to inscribe His marks onto two stone tablets, demonstrating, in a very physical and powerful way, His everlasting covenant of love and faithfulness. Ex. 31:18. Marks etched and cut into stone, never to be erased.

*** I think about the unnamed men who lifted and removed a bare wooden cross from the ground. What thoughts crossed their hearts as they looked at the wood, and touched the stains of blood shed by our Savior?

*** I read about the first consecration of our Lord’s tabernacle and altar, and that of Aaron and our first priests. Ex. 29 & 30. I picture the sacrificial blood placed upon the ears, fingers and toes of Aaron and his sons; the sprinkles of blood thrown against the sides of the altar; and the oil anointed upon the acacia wood of the ark of the covenant and the altar of incense. How pure and treasured were each of the stains left during this consecration?

*** I see workers crafting curtains of linen and yarn, and others making upright frames of acacia wood. I see the workers lifting these curtains and frames, and carefully putting everything into place, all contributing to build His tabernacle. Ex. 36. And I remember 40 years ago, as my father’s hands fixed the broken door of our home; and these last 40 nights, as my wife’s hands knitted a cap for a woman stricken with cancer and a blanket for an unwed teen, pregnant and the victim of assault. How precious are the unseen stains left by the moisture of these workers’ hands?

*** I yearn to see the stains on the remains of a cloth of linen, where it is said it was used to wrap the beaten and broken body of Jesus the Christ. Whether on this linen or one long gone, could anyone ever say those stains were dirty? Could I ever overestimate their importance?

*** I feel for Thomas’ heart as he declared disbelief until he could “see the nail marks in his hands.”  Jn. 20:25. I am reminded of my doubts in times of tragedies, hurts and confusion, and my cry to see the marks of healing.

*** I hope that I, like Paul before me, also bear the marks of Jesus, so that others may see the reason for my peace. Gal. 6:17.

A few weeks ago, Pastor Scott spoke about how excruciatingly close we were to securing a new church home, but could not announce the “deal was done” until he “saw the ink on the page.” Negotiations were in their final stage, and it certainly appeared to all involved that it was going to happen. Yet, it was not to be until G_d was ready to allow the stain of ink to be placed upon a contract. How interesting that we waited and hoped for yet another collection of stains.

For years, he and we have been filled with hope and expectation that someday G_d would provide a permanent place for our church family to worship, learn, serve and rest. For weeks, Pastor Scott spoke of a new day on the horizon. We were nearing a new crossroad on our collective journey, and were ready to walk the good way that had been laid before us on the ancient paths. Jer. 6:16. Well . . . the day came. This past week, Pastor Scott announced that a lease for our new church home was signed. On a sunny day in September of the 2011th year of our Lord, with pens in hands, our representatives inscribed their signatures, and the stains of ink marked a turning point in the life of our congregation. For us, these stains marked our very own stake in the ground. Our proclamation of a new direction, faithful to our Lord’s ideas and ideals. Praise be to G_d, the author of our proclamation! The cause for our celebration!

This process has caused me to more fully appreciate how G_d has used stains and marks to signify and memorialize certain turning points in our lives. And though we do not worship the stains themselves, we follow the pattern of our Lord, using stains and marks to evidence the significant. A citizen marking a card in a voting booth, wanting his voice to be heard. A student turning in an entrance exam, hoping the stains left by her pen open up the door of a new career.

In the months to follow, workers will build and renovate our new home, and our imaginations will fill with the possibilities of new blessings. On behalf of my family, I thank the many souls who prayed, planned, spoke, drew, walked, talked, calculated, negotiated and dreamed about this new home. Each of you has left an indelible mark upon the heart of my family. Not all of these stains and marks can be seen, and the passage of time will inevitably take some of them away from our conscious thought. And though we may not again think about the inked signatures on a contract that will be stored and locked away, may we never forget it was His faithfulness and blessing that allowed the stains to occur. May this crossroad of our church family be marked with abundant and indescribable blessing, and may we continue to walk the good way.

Shema