Of Body Art and Body Piercings

I heard a radio broadcast of Family Life Today, the radio ministry of Campus Crusade about a week or so ago. They were interviewing a Pastor who wrote a book about parenting and kids today. I wasn't listening that closely until something about their conversation caught my attention.

The guest speaker was relating an anecdote about his son who grew up in the faith and was faithfully and dutifully taught right and wrong by his dad. Like many of today's kids (and adults), the son got caught up in the world and strayed from his walk. One day at the tender age of 19, the son realized the error of his ways and recommitted himself to Christ. He then proceeded to get a tattoo of a crown of thorns as a reminder of his commitment. The body art was permanently etched on the skin of his upper arm, just a hair's breath above the hem of a normal short sleeve shirt. It was appropriately discreet from a distance but from what I heard of the description, up close, the tattoo can cause quite a conversation.

Anyway, when the kid came home, his father immediately noticed what he had done. It wasn't like he came home saying, hey look Dad - isn't this cool? He actually tried to hide the mark.

"What's that on your arm, SON?" His father asked.

The kid hemmed and hawed and launched into his prepared speech. "Well see, Dad, funny you should ask. I found myself straying from Christ so I renewed my commitment recently and as a reminder, I got myself this."

Again the father asked, "What's that on your arm, SON?"

"It's a crown of thorns Dad. I was actually going to ask you for scripture to go with it that I could add on at another time."

A few weeks later, after his initial shock, the father gave him Leviticus 19:28 to go with his tattoo.

Here's what I'm trying to get at. Yes, because of grace, laws like Leviticus 19:28 which in the NIV reads as "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." aren't quite the essentials of our faith. But putting that aside, fast forward 70 years when gravity has taken it's toll and age has settled in and took hold, that piece of body art wouldn't even come close to resembling a crown of thorns.

And it's just not body art that gives me pause. I've seen Christian men and women, young and old alike, with unusual or highly inventive body piercings. I myself have pierced ears, one in each ear to be exact. But then again, I'm a girl, and growing up that was the norm in the society I lived in. But of late, it seems like anything and everything goes. Ever heard of a "Prince Albert"? But that's neither here nor there.

And if it's not the location is the excessive amount of piercings. I've seen individuals with pierced eyebrows, lips, nose, multiple ear piercings and tongue. And that's just the face. I know what a piercing feels like and believe me I struggled when I got mine done. Suffice to say, I'm not into pain.

I entertained thoughts of getting a tattoo. If nothing else, I thought it would make me look cool and hip and well - worldly. Really, just how much damage can a discreet, well-placed double bow and arrow wreak? However, after much debate and prayer, I came to the conclusion that getting one wouldn't be in my best interest for many reasons:

(A) May I say again that I'm not into pain.

(B) After another 40 years and 30 pounds in either direction, that little cute double bow and
arrow won't be.

(C) In the event that God blesses us with a child, I would like to have the credibility to
support my negative response when my kid ask for one. I am of the mind that my kid will
never, ever, see the inside of a tattoo parlor in real life, while I have breath still in
my body.

(D) And last but definitely not least, why would I want to desecrate the temple of the Holy
Spirit?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (NIV)

In context, the verse addresses sexual immorality, but still the command is clear, honor God with your body. Many of us Christians frown upon indulging in bad habits that dishonors God like smoking and drinking alcohol. I've heard time and time again that we are to keep this temple sacred, therefore we are to practice sexual purity and dare not pollute our insides with nicotine and liquor. Yet why do we not take the outside of our particular temple seriously as well?

When was the last time you saw a church building peppered with graffiti and left untouched and uncleaned? There is immediate outrage when a building dedicated for worship, may it be a church, a synagogue or a mosque, is desecrated by graffiti.

In the same vein, when was the last time someone accidentally had a tattoo? Or better yet, when was the last time that gold stud found its way into someone's mouth and embed itself on their tongue? Why, then, can't we muster the same outrage towards body art, unusual body piercings, cutting, or any other depraved habit or custom that we humans, left to our devices, can and will develop? Especially since there is clearly malice aforethought.

Smart-mouthed, sharp-minded guys and girls may reply with something like, but this mark IS all about honoring God. That's why I have God on my body, to honor Him and show the world that I belong to Him. Hmmm, really? And what has God done in your life lately other than give you intimate knowledge of a tattoo needle?

To those out there who disagree and are quick to stamp me with the "L" word, know that I don't love you any less for going out and getting all this done. I'm not going to shy away from y'all or cross the street so I don't come into contact with you lest I be infected by your worldly ways. And don't get apoplectic, that there was a joke.

In all seriousness, what I'm saying is I disagree with the decision to go and get marked or pierced for whatever reason. In case you missed my point, my body is a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, therefore it is my responsibility not to desecrate it. There are physical reasons as well.

I've said it twice and I'll say it once more, I am not into pain, though I've been told that popping Vicodan before the procedure does take the edge off. I'm not really looking forward to explaining the artwork when everything has sagged and faded. As for body piercings, I can't even begin to imagine the scene at the airport with a hand held metal detector.

If you're of the same mind as I am, thank you for imbibing the Kool-Aid. If not, let me know the whys and wherefores. I honestly would like to get some insight. After all, there are times I revisit the thought of that little double bow and arrow at the small of my back.

'Tis Only God

I just had one of the most unpleasant experiences I've had in a while a few hours ago. I was told, albeit in a roundabout way, that I was no longer welcome to participate in a group that for all intents and purposes, was the source of my encouragement through all my trials and tribulations. All this because I rekindled my association with a couple that has been banned from a church I no longer attend.

When the news was broken to my husband and I, the first words were something along the lines of "this has nothing to do with you both" and "we love you both but..." Verses were quoted, primarily, Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5 - things to do with how to confront an errant and sinning brother or sister in Christ and how to deal with unrepentant sinners among the brotherhood/sisterhood. As the words kept coming, all I could think of was if we did nothing wrong and we are loved then why are we being told that we were no longer welcome? Eventually the answer came loud and clear - we were guilty by association.

This is my capsule summary of what I was told. Someone pointed out something to somebody else that caused some kind of reaction that I'm still trying to fathom. A meeting was called, behind our backs, and a decision was made to "unwelcome" us. I can go on and on about who said what and so on and so forth but as I sit here mulling over these events, I realize how moot a point that would be. We've been judged, and we've been found lacking.

Through all this I find myself asking the question of just how loving is "loving"? Where do you draw the line? I've heard and read over and over again that Christ dwelled with the sinners and the riff raff and the dastardly. I'm a sinner, and a riff raff and my ways are dastardly so why was I tossed out like a rag doll all the while being told that I'm "loved". And over and over again I'm reminded, 'Tis only God who is truly loving. 'Tis only God who is truly gracious. 'Tis only God who is truly forgiving. 'Tis only God that I can trust for true compassion, understanding and acceptance. Everyone else, though laden with good intentions, fall short.