Ever since I was young, I loved the idea of getting a nose piercing. I thought they were cute and fun. Years ago, I started telling my parents I wanted one and they said they had no issues with it. My mother even has her belly-button pierced and my father had an ear piercing as a teen. Soon after my seventeenth birthday, I asked my parents if I could get it done and they said yes. But because I was a minor, my dad had to go with me to sign the consent forms.
As soon as I walked out of the tattoo parlor with a freshly pierced nose I noticed some things. First, it was like I suddenly saw just how many people have their noses pierced. Just like when you get a new car, you realize how many other people have that same exact car. Second, I realized that having a piercing, not on your ears, opens up conversations with different types of people. Some, mostly younger, people seem to relate to you quicker and easier because they see you went to a tattoo parlor. Third, I realized that most people who see a young girl with a nose piercing are very curious and tend to make faces when sizing you up. Fourth, I realized just how comfortable people are with voicing their opinions. Doctors, friends, family, and even strangers will say things. And nine times out of ten, they are derogatory. I got asked if my parents were okay with it or why they let me do it, which I would respond with, "Well, I'm a minor so they had to sign the consent form." I heard the phrase "mutilating your body" on a regular basis. "Well, with all those holes in your head..." was also a common one. Fifth, I came to realize how easy it is for people to "judge a book by it's cover". I saw the disdain, disgust, worry, and horror on many peoples' faces. Especially in older generations, as only "young rebellious teens" did things that were so "reckless". I could tell just by the way some people looked at, talked to, and treated me that they had already made assumptions about me and my life. I was already labeled as "defiant" in their minds.
What people don't know about my nose piercing, is that it's not just a "fashion statement", "lifestyle decision", or "something I just did." In many cultures around the world, for many centuries, nose piercings have been a symbol of submission. Women to their husbands, slaves to their lords. Taking the latter into account, I looked into the word "lord". In the case of slaves, lords were those who had authority and control over them. In Christianity, the term "Lord" is used for God as an endearing name. For example, "Thank you, Lord, for this day." However, the original Greek word for this, "Kyrios", literally means "lord or master". Therefore, God is our master, our lord. He has complete control over us, gives us everything we have and need, and provides for us. He is my Lord, but He is also my lord. I got my nose pierced to give myself a daily reminder that God is not just someone to pray to or thank, but He is literally my master. I owe everything to Him, for from Him, all things come. When I look in the mirror, I am reminded that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my God.
So, when other people see me as a rebellious teenager who pierced her nose in spite of this society, I see myself as a humble servant to the One True King. What could be used as a sign of disobedience is actually a sign of obedience. What might be seen as reckless is actually me being intentional. What might be viewed as a mistake is me reminding myself that it's not a mistake that I'm here on this earth. What others might use for bad, I use for good.