Here's it a Constant Reminder: Live it Up!!

To put it simply, I'm a very forgetful person. I write things down as soon as I hear them so that I don't forget...good idea, right? Well, usually, I lose the paper that I wrote those things down on; I don't mean to lose it. Mostly, it's because I forgot where I put that paper.

The bad part about my forgetfulness is that I sometimes need a reminder that I'm a Christian and called to live by love and not whatever feels good at the time. Other Christians say, "Don't worry! Me too!" But that doesn't make me feel any better about forgetting.

And my constant reminder isn't carrying around a Bible or randomly praying the middle of a conversation when someone has paused to take a breath. My reminder is my tattoo. Everytime I see it, I know exactly what it means. I don't ever look down at my ankle and say, "Oh, man--looks like a cool tattoo. Wonder why I got it? I bet it has a cool meaning. Wish I knew..."

The tattoo has three meanings: it's shaped like a heart (1 love); because it doesn't completely close it makes a G shape (1 God); and one ends of the heart is shaped like an arrow pointing upwards (1 Way). My description doesn't really do it justice. So you can just check out the picture of it, on the left.

But the heart represents one love. God's love doesn't show favoritism. People would like to think it does, because it either gives us an excuse as Christians to do whatever we want, because "God loves us more" or for non-Christians to refuse to accept God, because "God doesn't love us as much." Nope. God's love is unchangeable and He loves us all the same. Plain and simple, God doesn't show favoritism.(Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11)

The G-shape stands for the "one God". There isn't but one God. There aren't these many gods floating around. There isn't a God of love; and a God of power; and a God of happiness. It's one God. And I'm pretty sure you don't need me to quote any verses about this one, considering that the whole Bible is about our having one God.

And finally, one way--the arrow means that there is only one way to heaven and that's salvation through faith in Christ. Not faith in apples. Not faith in money. Apples and money didn't live a sinless lifestyle and then die on the cross for you or me. Just a fact. And the best part is that anyone can have it. God doesn't have a "Please apply here if you are..." sheet. Salvation is open for anyone and everyone. (John 3:16-classic but true. 1st John 1:9)

The only thing I'll add is that it's a constant reminder for me to live it up. Live it up like there's one love, one God, and one way.

I can't wait for them to call me!!

I think we view God as this desperate boyfriend or girlfriend saying, "Oh, I just need them to call me! I just need them to tell me how much they love me. I need a lot of things and I need them so badly."

I hate to break it to anyone that views God that way, but (and I'm telling myself this too) you are in need of a huge reality check if you think God needs you. Psalm 18: 30 says, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. he is a shield for all who take refuge in him." Sounds a lot like we are the ones in need.

And then that leads usually into a question of, "Well, if God doesn't need me--then what's the point?" And the answer is what is so beautiful. God wants us. Have you ever not needed something, but wanted it so badly that you would do just about anything for it? If we really want something, we pursue it and go out of our way to get it.

God sent his only Son to die for us. His Son was perfect. We aren't. I think that right there is extreme love.

Here's something I'll leave you with that God's love for us is bigger than we can probably even try to imagine: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38,39

The blog is open for comments or questions so please send them my way.