God's tattoos by John Fischer
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
Not in the sky, because the sky is too high
Not in the clouds, because the clouds can't hold you
Not on a stone, for a stone is too cold
Not on silver or gold, lest anyone think you could be sold
Not in a book, because a book could be lost
But on the palms of His hands
On the flesh
Where you can't be lost, sold or forgotten
On the flesh
Where He sees you all the time
On the flesh
Where the pain was measured out in love
On the flesh
In the warm skin of the Savior
There you are…
Permanent
Indelible
Part of…
Engraved
Cut into
Scarred forever
As God's tattoos
----------------------
One of my favorite authors, John Fischer, posted the above poem several days ago. I love this small piece of poetry and the picture it paints of God who loves us. Not everyone was so taken with it. The next day's post was entitled A funny thing happened on the way to a poem.
John apparently stirred up controversy among some of his readers for portraying God as having tattoos (and Jesus had body piercings) to describe our names that have been engraved upon the palm of God's hand.
Some, who share his daily posts with the whole family, were concerned their kids might see the metaphor as encouraging the practice of marking their bodies which as parents they disapprove of.
Still others were elated to find at least an inclusive reference to tattoos in a context they wouldn't expect. They were overjoyed with being able to take what had been for so many a source of division, and use it as a link for parents and kids—a bridge across a formerly insurmountable cultural divide.
This was the lesson John drew from the discussion: We should have an attitude of seizing every opportunity for reconciliation that we can find. There is so much that divides us without even trying. We need to put our efforts into what brings us together.
"…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
(Ephesians 4:2-3)
Amen.
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
Not in the sky, because the sky is too high
Not in the clouds, because the clouds can't hold you
Not on a stone, for a stone is too cold
Not on silver or gold, lest anyone think you could be sold
Not in a book, because a book could be lost
But on the palms of His hands
On the flesh
Where you can't be lost, sold or forgotten
On the flesh
Where He sees you all the time
On the flesh
Where the pain was measured out in love
On the flesh
In the warm skin of the Savior
There you are…
Permanent
Indelible
Part of…
Engraved
Cut into
Scarred forever
As God's tattoos
----------------------
One of my favorite authors, John Fischer, posted the above poem several days ago. I love this small piece of poetry and the picture it paints of God who loves us. Not everyone was so taken with it. The next day's post was entitled A funny thing happened on the way to a poem.
John apparently stirred up controversy among some of his readers for portraying God as having tattoos (and Jesus had body piercings) to describe our names that have been engraved upon the palm of God's hand.
Some, who share his daily posts with the whole family, were concerned their kids might see the metaphor as encouraging the practice of marking their bodies which as parents they disapprove of.
Still others were elated to find at least an inclusive reference to tattoos in a context they wouldn't expect. They were overjoyed with being able to take what had been for so many a source of division, and use it as a link for parents and kids—a bridge across a formerly insurmountable cultural divide.
This was the lesson John drew from the discussion: We should have an attitude of seizing every opportunity for reconciliation that we can find. There is so much that divides us without even trying. We need to put our efforts into what brings us together.
"…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
(Ephesians 4:2-3)
Amen.
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