The Wondrous Cross (Tattoo)

With Easter, and lent season officially 'over',  I can still recall the first sermon that my pastor preached when he started the lent series on 'walking with hurting people' back in February.  He started with at the core of our Christian faith.  No, not the Christmas story, but Jesus' death on a cross.  He started with the Cross, because that is where it all ended and that is also where our Salvation began.

No matter what we have done/are doing/will do with the sin of our lives—>God loves us SO Much that HE sent JESUS to DIE a horrible death on the cross, for YOUR sins…for MY sins.  Just because He loves YOU and ME so much and desires to have a relationship with us. 

Praise God, the story doesnt end there tho…3 days later-HE AROSE from the GRAVE–fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament and ultimately showing His love (and Grace) for every single human being who EVER did, does and WILL walk on this earth. Remember that as you read on…

   
Over the span of the last few days, I have been debating whether or not I should (or need too) post a blog like this.  Okay, I just re read that last statement and it sounds like I am going to confess some deep, dark sin or something…I hope that you actually read the title of this blog and will have realized by now->that I am talking about a small cross tattoo and that is ALL.  Given the (Mennonite) culture, background and the area that I grew up in, and am currently living in…I feel that when some people (s) hear via grapevine that "Did you hear? Nikki got a tattoo!" there could be/maybe some mixed reactions/thoughts.   Now, just so we are clear right off the hop-this is NOT (again this is NOT) a post of me 'bashing' my own culture, town, beliefs or community or anything along those lines. I want to make that VERY clear, as I know that when people hear the word "Tattoo" we (myself having been included in the past) often tend to think of something huge, obvious and 'out there' (and dare I even say 'evil'). 

As some of you perhaps know, I spent March 22-26 in St. Louis meeting/visiting some World Race friends that I will be traveling with/living with starting in July of this year.  I got my tattoo with them, while I was IN St. Louis hanging out.  Yes, this was the first time we had met (other than skyping) in person.  Now, this may seem like a last minute decision, along with being somewhat of an 'impulse' choice and not really 'thinking it through' however, I can assure you, that this was NOT the case.  For the past few months, I  have honestly been thinking about getting a small cross tattoo somewhere on me-so when friends brought it up last week- at first I was a little hesitant about joining them in getting one (not actually thinking they would honestly follow through with it–little did I know!) As they talked about it, about how God could/would use it as a witnessing tool and as I watched the fire and passion in their eyes for CHRIST (not the tattoo), my decision to get one as well, became a whole lot easier. (seriously, if you were to meet these girls-your life will be changed)

I also know I am a youth leader in my local church and that youth have already asked/approached me on it and have wanted to see it.  I will be honest, I will show them.  BUT I will also let them know WHY I got it and explain to them my own personal reason for getting it (a few of which I shared here, along with a few others).  Tattoos are not a 'scary' thing.  In fact, God has already used it to witness 2 days after we got them.  One of the girls had an amazing opportunity to witness for  Christ and to just LOVE people because not only did they see her tattoo (same spot as mine is on the hand) and asked her about it, but they saw something different within her…they saw CHRIST and HIS love. HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!?!! (P.s. Thanks Karah for being a blessing, for being bold, for loving people!  Girl, You have already changed the world even without leaving the States!YEAH Ou(R) squad bringing God's love right here…RIGHT NOW).

New friends (and matching tattoo buddies!) that quickly became new sisters

Like I said, I had been thinking about getting a small cross tattoo somewhere on me, for quite a while and given the way certain life events/situations have been playing out in my life lately, along with where I am in my OWN walk with Christ–>the timing to have one done now, seemed to be perfect. 

I love the placement of it-the lower part of my right index finger- because I always see it constantly throughout the day no matter what I am doing.  I see it while I am at work, while I am on the computer, eating, worshipping, reading my bible, texting, picking things up, praying, turning things etc etc.  We constantly use our hands. This is a visual, daily, consistent reminder to me, to ALWAYS look towards Jesus.  I have found already, that if I am having a bad?tough day, all I need to do is just simply notice the cross on my finger and I am instantly reminded of just how MUCH God loves me.  He loves me!  He loves YOU.

We got matching Cross Tattoos

As you know as well, in a matter of 3 months I am leaving on an 11 month missions trip around the world-where I will be living out Jesus' call in Matthew 28.  I am beyond stoked (and incredibly blessed) to be doing this with some of the most awesome, amazing, craziest, God loving people that I have ever met. I (we) are literally going to be Christ's hands and feet in this world.  Hands have always fascinated me-especially fingerprints-because no finger print is every the same…how crazy awesome is that?!?!?!  Yet another sign of God's love!!

I also know, that the things that I will be seeing and experiencing, will break me in a way that I do not know yet.  It will humble me to a point of complete and utter brokenness and pain for the world around me.  It will bring me to my knees, crying out to YAHWEH even through silent tears.  It will bring a fullness and a joy that can only come from a pure, God centered love. It will teach me how to be vulnerable-when everything inside of me-screams to 'bottle up' It will lead me to admit it when I do not have a clue as to what is going on or how in the world I should respond.  Through it all, my cross tattoo on my finger will remain and will remind me to meet God at the cross, to realize that HE paid for it all and to allow myself to be picked up and put back together again by HIS love and Grace.

As I have been looking at it over the last few days- I have noticed that it was not perfectly well done.  You know what- I am okay with that.  The cross was anything BUT perfect.  In fact-it was/is one of the worst ways to die…yet Christ died on the cross.  I sometimes wear a perfectly cut, sterling silver cross necklace (which I do love!) around my neck, and I know that in the past-people have questioned/challenge me on the fact that the cross WASN'T perfect or pure.  In fact it was quite imperfect and evil.  It was a way to torture and KILL people…not actually pleasant…

BUT CHRIST, being 100% perfect in every shape/way/form of the meaning/word…still hung from the Cross.  Are you starting to realize just HOW MUCH HE LOVES YOU? So when I look down at my finger-this thought comes to mind and my mind is AGAIN blown away at the fact of Christ's amazing love for me.  To have that constant, physical reminder….wow…I honestly did not think that it would impact me the way it has/does

Guys, I know there is a lot of controversy about tattoos/piercings.  I know some people may lose respect/look down on me now because of it…but I challenge to watch the following video at the end of this post and take it to heart what is said before you are quick to judge.

I hope this post made somewhat sense.  As always, feel free to ask me questions about my tattoo, or about anything.  Please. 

Remember God's command to love?  Let's show love and well, simply love!

In Him,
Nikki