One of the most common questions I hear in regards to my tattoos is, "Did they hurt?"
I can't speak for others with ink but my answer is always a resounding "YES!" I usually come back with some sarcastic remark about how if I stabbed you with a needle over and over, do you THINK that would hurt?" Add to that my history of passing out when confronted with a needle (in shot, piercing or tattoo form) and it makes one wonder why I have tattoos at all.
But that question I can answer as well. Not only does it satisfy my inner (and outer) rebel but my tattoos (most of them) are a reminder of the kind of life I've been called to lead and in some cases even a witnessing tool.
Several years back, I got the words "to die is gain" tattooed on my right foot. The second half of this verse (Philippians 1:21) was to serve as a reminder to me that death is not the end for me but a glorious beginning. What seems like many moons ago, when I was living a very selfish life contrary to what I believe, I began to develop an irrational fear of death. Seriously, I would have what I assumed were panic attacks at the mere thought of dying. And I thought about it a lot. Not about killing myself, mind you but just that I may not have many days left on the earth. The thought paralyzed me - something it should not do for a Christian who knows her home is in Heaven.
Fast forward to 2013. That irrational fear of death has been replaced with a peace that passes all understanding. Also, I began to focus my attention on the first part of Philippians 1:21, "To live is Christ..."
If, like me, you grew up in church and in the Word, then you've heard this verse many times but do you really know what that means? I'm not sure I did. I knew I wanted it as my new tattoo though and so I began to dwell on Philippians chapter one. I also thought about it's writer, Paul and his life and ministry. Then I focused in on the life of Christ. That is when the words began to have real meaning for me.
Paul's life was not one of ease but of struggle, conflict and severe physical and mental anguish. He knew that to depart and be with Christ was better by far but he also knew that it was more necessary to remain in the body and advance the Gospel.
To live is Christ.
Like Paul, as a follower of Christ I am to imitate HIS life and ministry. In other words, I have not been called to a life of comfort and ease but of struggle, pain and doing the will of my Father in Heaven. This is not easy to accept for a girl who has gotten used to her comfortable, selfish, American life.
To live is Christ.
So in a practical sense, what does this mean? Should I move to a foreign field and live in a grass hut with no running water and eat cockroaches for every meal? Maybe. Or, maybe it starts as something simple. Like giving up precious hours of sleep to minister to op camp kids or giving up food for a day or two (or more) in favor of fasting and praying. Maybe it means a reworking of my budget. Less categories focused on me and more focused on the Kingdom. Those are just a few places to start...
To live is Christ.
What does it mean to you?
I can't speak for others with ink but my answer is always a resounding "YES!" I usually come back with some sarcastic remark about how if I stabbed you with a needle over and over, do you THINK that would hurt?" Add to that my history of passing out when confronted with a needle (in shot, piercing or tattoo form) and it makes one wonder why I have tattoos at all.
But that question I can answer as well. Not only does it satisfy my inner (and outer) rebel but my tattoos (most of them) are a reminder of the kind of life I've been called to lead and in some cases even a witnessing tool.
Several years back, I got the words "to die is gain" tattooed on my right foot. The second half of this verse (Philippians 1:21) was to serve as a reminder to me that death is not the end for me but a glorious beginning. What seems like many moons ago, when I was living a very selfish life contrary to what I believe, I began to develop an irrational fear of death. Seriously, I would have what I assumed were panic attacks at the mere thought of dying. And I thought about it a lot. Not about killing myself, mind you but just that I may not have many days left on the earth. The thought paralyzed me - something it should not do for a Christian who knows her home is in Heaven.
Fast forward to 2013. That irrational fear of death has been replaced with a peace that passes all understanding. Also, I began to focus my attention on the first part of Philippians 1:21, "To live is Christ..."
If, like me, you grew up in church and in the Word, then you've heard this verse many times but do you really know what that means? I'm not sure I did. I knew I wanted it as my new tattoo though and so I began to dwell on Philippians chapter one. I also thought about it's writer, Paul and his life and ministry. Then I focused in on the life of Christ. That is when the words began to have real meaning for me.
Paul's life was not one of ease but of struggle, conflict and severe physical and mental anguish. He knew that to depart and be with Christ was better by far but he also knew that it was more necessary to remain in the body and advance the Gospel.
To live is Christ.
Like Paul, as a follower of Christ I am to imitate HIS life and ministry. In other words, I have not been called to a life of comfort and ease but of struggle, pain and doing the will of my Father in Heaven. This is not easy to accept for a girl who has gotten used to her comfortable, selfish, American life.
To live is Christ.
So in a practical sense, what does this mean? Should I move to a foreign field and live in a grass hut with no running water and eat cockroaches for every meal? Maybe. Or, maybe it starts as something simple. Like giving up precious hours of sleep to minister to op camp kids or giving up food for a day or two (or more) in favor of fasting and praying. Maybe it means a reworking of my budget. Less categories focused on me and more focused on the Kingdom. Those are just a few places to start...
To live is Christ.
What does it mean to you?
1 comments:
Great words Amy! It is inspiring to know that you have put your mission ever before you, and that you have committed to not wasting your life but giving it up for the sake of the Gospel. I am proud of you and I am praying for you! (And in regards to the pic...OUCH!!)
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