Many people have been raised to believe that tattoos are not the sign of a loving Christian. For years, I was dead-set against body ink because of the moral stigmas that I had against decorating your “temple” with different shapes or designs that people find artistically pleasing.
However, now I realize a couple of reasons to get one, so I took the plunge and I am more than happy that I did.
I got a tattoo during the start of this new 2015-year, specifically on January 2nd. I did not do it so that my friends would tell me it looked cool; I did it as a reminder, a note that is jotted down in ink to remind me every day why I am on this earth.
I decided months before I actually got the tattoo that I wanted every stain to be significant. The letters all stand for something different and each has something to do with my faith:
"A” stands for my constant Awareness of God in my life.
“D” represents my Dependence on Christ in every situation knowing that only He can get me through any obstacle I face.
“S” is for Sacrifice. It means to sacrifice and serve for others like Christ did for us.
“H” is Humility. Reminding me to stay humble in everything that I do and to profess my only way to heaven is through Him.
The two arrows are meant to represent Hebrews 4:12, which signifies the double-edged sword that is God’s piercing word in the hearts of sinners.
The broken arrow point towards the ground signifies peace and reminds me that instead of feeling anger or wanting war to love thy neighbor and find forgiveness when in the face of resentment.
The reason I got it near my veins is because of the simple fact that my blood runs through my veins because of Him. He alone breathed life into me that I may live for His glory. I must now remind myself everyday what I live for and why I am here.
The arrows as a whole symbolize this verse in Psalm 127 because of my love for children and the fact that I am helping lead the children’s’ worship program at Highland Baptist Church. “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”
And finally, the arrows are pointing down my arm so that they instruct me as the hands and feet of God, to reach out and help others and spread God's piercing message across all nations. Every aspect of my ink was carefully thought out, planned by me to represent different aspects of my faith. My tattoo is a constant reminder of my salvation, and I am more than happy with it.
