I have to admit that there are many things in my life that I find to be addicting. Movies, food and so much more. But there is one that I have always loved getting from the time that I got my first one.
Tattoos!!!
I don't know why they are so addictive, but from the time that I got my first one, I was hooked. It cracks me up because my little sister got one before I did. I was jealous!!! But when I was stationed in California, I knew that it would be just a matter of time before I got one. My very first tattoo was Marvin the Martian with a Pearl Jam lyric around it. It has a meaning to me personally, like everyone of my other tattoos. But then I got one tattoo that has caused my some pain and joy in the same breath. It's on my right forearm with a Cross with the verse "Isaiah 53:5" inscribed across it.
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
When I got this tattoo, I just really got the revelation about healing that Christ had provided for me at the Cross. I wanted a reminder of what He did for me on that Glorious Day. Some would see that as a "weird way to remember", but it was very special and important today. I had a friend go with me so that he could see what it was like. I looked at it, and it was exactly what I wanted. So after awhile, people would start asking me what it was, what it meant and what did it mean to me. That tattoo would lead to some great and horrible conversations. Mostly, it was great moments of sowing a seed into someone that may not know about the Cross of Christ. Now, tattoos are not "biblical" in the eyes of God. Our body is a temple that Houses the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit." We should treat our bodies in such a way that is honoring to our Father. Obviously, I have not. But that doesn't mean God is mad at me. I just have a really colorful temple. But this tattoo has caused me to fight for what I believe in as well.
When I started working at the Baristo Bar, they had a policy that no tattoos were to be displayed due to being offensive. I understood the rule and did my best to follow it. But there were times that I didn't and it caused some trouble for me when it came to the point of me getting fired over it. Now, in my mind, a tattoo is the last thing that I would fire a person over. But this amongst other things, was just the icing on the cake. I cried, moaned and complained to get my job back and after a week and a half, I was back working. Since then, I have followed the rules to the top. But when people see that my arm is covered, they always ask what it is. That is where the good and bad conversations. Some people believe it and receive it. Some do not. But over time, things just died down.
That was until a couple of months ago...
I was informed that the company had produced some T-shirts that endorsed a specific group of people, whose lifestyle I have fought long and hard to get away from. When I lived the "alternative lifestyle", it was everything that consumed and became an important part of me. But when I got born-again, I fought and died to that old-self. It still haunts me at times, but I fight to stay away from that lifestyle. I don't hate gay people for what they are doing. I hate what kind of person that it had made me at the time. I can never go back to that ever again. So when the company started producing the shirts, I got angry. I mean here is a company that hires people for their "diversity" and yet they put restrictions of that diversity in the name of being "offenseful." Now the same company is telling me that I have to support a "group of diverse people", and make a way to be supportive. Really?
Here's a question. If there was a reformed alcoholic that had been clean and sober for a couple of years, would you take him to a brewery and then ask him to help you serve it to others?
I became very angered to the fact that the company wanted me to hide my faith and support another. Then it became clear to me. This is "fighting the good fight of faith." Never have I fought so hard to stand up for what I believe to be right and true. Never have I had to take so many beating by co-workers, customers and more simply because of what I believe. Jesus said "if they hate you, it's because they hated me first." Most people don't want to talk about their faith. It's very personal and powerful to most. To me, it's very personal! And at times, it can get ugly! We are faced with the same things that the Disciples faced early into their ministry. Persecution, ridicule and death. I pray that it doesn't come to that, but the truth is that most people are willing to die for what they believed in. Jesus did. Why wouldn't I do the same thing that He did for me?
Revelation is a great way to become free from strongholds, bondage, sickness and alot more. When people ask of my tattoo, I reveal to them the power and meaning behind the verse. They may not get it at the time, but the chew on it for awhile. Whether the swallow it or not is up to them. When I first got saved, the biggest revelation I got was that Pontius Pilot didn't want to crucify Jesus. But, he bowed under pressure from religious leaders and the higher government. Had Pontious not crucified Christ, he himself would have been fired or killed. He didn't stand up for what was true and right. Today, many people are like that. We talk about Christ, but alot of us really don't defend Him. Why are you willing to lay your life down for someone, but not a person that gave you life.
I have no regrets in getting any of my tattoos. All of them hold a story that is very close and personal to my heart. But when you get a revelation of who you are in Christ, how loved and special you really are, then that opens up your heart to receive so much more of the things of God. It's like when someone tells you a secert.
The look on your face is pure shock of either joy or sadness. You rejoice or cry.
With God, there is only love and peace when He whispers that into your heart.......
Get Revelation...
No comments:
Post a Comment