Are You Inked Up?

Beloved,

It is Wednesday. It is a few days before we join together again as a church family. How good it was to see you on Sunday and how I am looking forward to seeing you again on this upcoming Sunday.

We are in a day and age that is a bit different from days gone by. People feel greater freedom to express themselves in a variety of ways. One of those ways is in getting tattoos or as some might say, "Getting inked up."

Because I grew up in an era where few people got tattoos, I used to react out of my comfort zone and wonder why people would do something that would permanently change their look and forever put a sign or message on their body.

As I have matured, thanks be to God, I have become less critical and become more inquisitive. Instead of wondering why people change their look by getting a tattoo, I want to know more about the message behind the tattoo.

So, when I see a tattoo, I am more inclined to ask, "Why that tattoo? What does it mean?"

For some people, it could mean a bad decision after a long day or night of bad decisions.

For others, it can mean much more. It can memorialize an event, a family member, a friend. It can be a reminder to do something or not to do something. It can be a sign for others to do something or not to do something.

I will likely never get a visible tattoo; but, I do want my life to have an impact that will have an impact like others who get a tattoo.

And, to some degree, I have a tattoo also. I have gotten inked up. Where? On my heart.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3,

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all; and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

Now, whether you have physical tattoos or not, we can all have a spiritual message, as Christians, that we should all carry within us.

Your life story is saying something to somebody. What does it say about your relationship with God through Jesus Christ as guided by the Holy Spirit?

Physically, you may be inked up; but, are you inked up spiritually?

Which matters most?

So, as we look at others, let us be careful in judging too soon. Let us look upon all as God looks on us. He does not look at the outside. He looks at the heart.

He is looking to see if you have His ink on your heart. And, His ink is the Holy Spirit.

Are you inked up? Believe me. People can see your spiritual ink without you saying a word. Again, what is your life story saying? Are you inked up?

We will not have H.O.P.E. Wednesday this evening; but, you should always have hope because you are a child of the most high God.

Next Wednesday, we will begin our study on the book of Revelation. I am excited about it and excited about us journeying together through one of the most mysterious and confounding books of the Holy Bible. Join with us as the mystery is unveiled and the confusion gives way to clarity.

You should come and you should invite someone to join with you. We have materials at church in the study. See me about getting a book.

Come and get inked up.

And, remember, God loves you and I love you too!

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain