Tattooed

You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God and  they shall be My people. Hebrews 8:10

I recently had my eyebrows waxed. Yep, vanity woman is thy name. I have very unusual brows. Part of my brow exists, but the other part is sparsely distributed with hair. The friendly woman, who was practicing her eyebrow sculpting technique, suggested I consider having my eyebrows tattooed. She conveyed, with conviction, that by having my eyebrows tattooed I would never again have to worry about misshapen or barely existing eyebrows. She modeled her tattooed eyebrows as my inspiration. I have to admit, I was impressed. I began to imagine my red carpet moment when I would step out of my house, eyebrows permanently in place.  

I have many friends and family members that don body tattoos. I even know a woman who had a tattoo strategically placed on a back tooth. Tattoos as body art is prevalent in society. What intrigues me about this art is its purpose and message. I am keenly aware that the man or woman wearing a skull belies the reality of their kind and gentle spirit. I have also witnessed the contradiction in a person's life that is tattooed for "Jesus", but living a life that, sadly, exonerates Satan and his intent. So what is the message tattoos convey?  The message I have learned is that external, body tattoos really do not represent the heart or soul of the individual. If I decide to have my eyebrows tattooed on, it really does not change the fact that I have uneven hair distribution on my brow. A tattooed brow will only present a false reality. 

I do, however, have a tattoo. You cannot see my tattoo, but I pray you realize its presence. My tattoo artist did not use ink, nor did he use a needle. He used His blood as the permanent dye and nails as His marking instrument. It did not hurt, nor was I at risk for acquiring a life threatening disease, rather, I was given eternal life. He knew His work would be on display, so He chose my heart as His canvas. He assured me of its permanency. I would recommend my tattoo artist to anyone, because He offers His services for free. His name is Jesus, and what He tattooed on my heart was "covered in blood". Jesus removed my sin, and the death it brings in life and relationships, and replaced it with life giving love. His tattoo on my heart causes me to want to live at peace with all men. I am driven to offer joy in place of discontent. I seek to offer lasting hope to the hopeless. I desire the greater good for all mankind. I am forever changed because of His tattoo. What about you? Would you like your heart tattooed today? Go ahead and step in His presence and ask Him  to change you from the inside out. It is one tattoo you will never regret, and the world will stand in awe of its beauty. 

Jesus, today, change my heart. Write the words "covered in blood" across my heart. Forgive me of my sins and transform my heart and mind. I accept the blood and nails you use to give me eternal life. Today, I am made new. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.