Why I Got a Third Tattoo
About a week and a half ago, I got my third tattoo. I believe that tattoos tell a story. In my case, tattoos are a marker of what God has done in my life.
Markers
At each turning point in my life or a big shift in perspective, I enjoy having a spiritual marker of some sort. Over the years it has been a bracelet, ring, necklace or a verse on a plaque to remind me of what God has taught me.
Throughout the Bible, several people made spiritual markers to remember what God has done in their lives. In Joshua 4 at the Jordan River crossing, the tribes set up a pile of stones as a reminder of what God had done for the people. This was a story they would tell for generations to come.
Rejected
Have you heard the expression “I know it in my head, it just needs to travel to my heart?” When I became a believer in 1996, I learned that I was fully known and loved by God. Little did I know what that really meant. The truth that I was fully known and deeply loved by God needed to travel from my head to my heart.
A couple of years ago, I sent a text to a friend to see if we could go out to coffee. It didn’t work out for her schedule. But, her response really affected me. I spent time praying and asking God why I was so bothered by it especially because it has happened before with several people.
I realized that I felt rejected by this friend. I felt like I wasn’t important enough for her to spend time with.
After praying about this more, I thought to myself, what would it look like to live life in such a way that I am fully known and deeply loved by God? This question leveled me and really challenged me. What would it look like? How can I live that out?
Fully Known and Deeply Loved
It has been a journey to live in this way but I am working on it. Anytime I feel rejected or I don’t feel noticed, I have started telling myself “You are fully known and deeply loved by God.”
Last December, I decided that I wanted a marker of sorts to walk in this truth. It started with a decal sticker on my computer. That way any time I sat down to write or work, I would see this tangible reminder. It was very helpful in my journey to believe I am fully known and loved by God.
A month or so ago, I decided that I wanted it as a tangible reminder in the form of a tattoo. The way wherever I was, my tattoo would be a reminder of God’s truth. I designed the tattoo using some of my favorite fonts. I am pretty excited about how it turned out.
I love how it reminds me of God’s truth in Colossians 3:12 which reads “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” I am chosen, I am fully known, and I am dearly loved by God.
Tattoos
Friends, tattoos tell a story. In my case, tattoos are a marker of what God has done in my life. And honestly, my tattoos are a great reminder of what God is continuing to do. I encourage you to find out the story behind someone’s tattoo. You may be surprised.
Do you have a tattoo? If so, I would love to hear your story. Please comment below. What other markers or symbols have you used in your life to tell about what God is doing in your life? I would love to hear about it. Please comment below.
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