I Dare You to Get a Tattoo
There are many reasons to get a tattoo… as well as many reasons not to get a tattoo. I don’t want to spend my post trying to convince you whether you should or shouldn’t get a tattoo… it’s just my dare. (we are playing Truth or Dare aren’t we?).
So I dare you to get a tattoo…
… but don’t get a tattoo just because I dared you… that would be… well, stupid.
However, may I tell you a couple reasons why I get mine? It might make you look at tattoos a bit differently.
1) God is the creator and artist of my life. He has designed me… and continues to draw, cut, paste, kiln, paint, and shape me into His masterpiece. And if you are a child of God… He’s doing the same with you. Why? He wants the world to look at us and see Him. My tattoos are a creative, colorful, story of my life that ultimately points to God.
2) It’s permanent. I know that is one of the biggest reasons people say they don’t get a tattoo… and I understand that… but permanency is something our society lacks. We are so temporary. Marriages. Love. Jobs. Relationships. Health. Money. Strength. Friends. Hair. They are all sadly temporary. Permanent things are “fading” away from the forefront of our culture… and in a society that is so temporary… I want to be reminded of the permanence of certain things. Death.. Heaven. God’s love. My Past. My Future. Why? Because when we forget the eternal (which is permanent) life can get pretty messy. When I’m reminded of the permanent… my decisions are easier… and generally “better”. These permanent things show who I am… the things that I stand for… and who I am becoming.
Skull – I was dead. Cold. Colorless. Ugly. Scary. Arrogant. Selfish.
Star of David – God touched my mind and my life. He protects me against me… and He is transforming me from the inside out.
Man Tree – I am now alive. Growing. Colorful. Strong. Looking toward Heaven for guidance. Sometimes the world tries to hurt me and wants to chop me down. Sometimes my own decisions hurt me which results in damage (broken limbs)
Alien Planet Background – Earth is not my home. Life on earth is short. My home is with God. In heaven.
I constantly want to be reminded where I came from… who rescued me… what He gave me… who I am becoming… and where I’m going. I want others to know the same. My tattoos are “preaching” my life mission… “to love God and give him away.”
My tattoos are permanent, custom, meaningful, creative, and artistic messages that I take with me everywhere I go.
Come to think of it… it’s about time to add to my artistic story. Someone please dare me to get a tattoo… and send a little $$ to help.
– Greg
Why do you get your tattoos?
Last week, I had “Remember Jesus” tattooed in a soft, handwriting type font on my inner forearm. I’d been thinking about it for a long time, and wanted a reminder to think of Jesus who has set me free.
Kate recently posted..Remember Jesus, who has loved righteousness
Very cool. Pic?
-Greg
I’m not sure how to attach an image here…I don’t have it posted anywhere yet. I’m planning on posting it to my blog at the end of the 31 days so by then it will be up somewhere
Kate recently posted..Remember Jesus, who stays the same
I’m not opposed to getting a tattoo, but I don’t know that I am passionate enough about anything to have it permanently etched on to my body. I love that your choice has such a deep personal meaning to you!
the lovely one recently posted..31 Days of Book Reviews: If I Stay
I have no problem with tattoos and I love hearing the stories behind tattoos, but I agree with the lovely one…there’s never been anything I am passionate enough about to get it tattooed
Julie @ Girl on the Move recently posted..Creating a Social Media Plan {day eleven}
I would Love to get a tattoo. Unfortunately, My friend and artist of 20 plus years died tragically alittle over a year ago from a motor cycle accident. This was a very hard time for me. It was as if a time in my had just been deleted. He was the only person i still spoke too during my “crazy” years and fully understood who I have become and how I had grown. I will cherish our time, weird conversations and his amazing artwork on my body forever. For that reason I will not get another tattoo from anyone again. Frank Lee was one in a million. I think of him daily and miss him aswell.
I’m glad you have his artwork and years of memories to cherish.
So sorry he’s gone.
-Greg