The Reluctant Christian

For a long time when people asked me if I was a Christian, there must have been a puzzled look on my face as I searched for a way to answer that question. The word Christian comes with so much baggage and expectation and much of both of those I didn't want anything to do with. I always tried to look at my faith through the eyes of someone who didn't necessarily believe, or at least didn't follow a Christian faith.

I think what man has done to Christ is pretty amazing and many times comical. Sometimes intentions were good but many times God was just used to fill personal agendas. I wonder when looking down at the way some faiths are being lived out, if God is just shaking his head in a puzzled sort of way thinking, "y'all have missed it". I think God gets the whole human experience in all we do, as we bounce along the bumpers of life trying to connect, to find that harmony, that union.

This maybe a big limb for some people, but I'm not even sure we can disappoint him. The whole right or wrong thing. Perhaps there's a bit of sadness when we make a decision that takes us out of that harmony, but even those are good to learn from. It's always a journey as we move along the spiral, sometimes closer to our center, sometimes further away. But if we are intentional in our journey of faith, only being in harmony will feel right.

I have read about many forms of faith from Buddhism to Christianity. From Native America to Hindu. I think there is one Creator, and he gave us all a way to see him through our own cultures. . I am a member of a church and I find many good minds there and ones that allow me to expand mine. I hope my thoughts and beliefs will continually take shape as I grow older. For me, the walk and life of Christ is what I'm drawn to. It's what makes sense and is what captures my heart. Most everything else that humans attach to that is suspect and up for grabs. Anything I don't have to earn and is full of the purest love is for me. I believe we are all in this together and God shouldn't be expected to fit in any one box. So with all of the embarrassing TV preachers, the confusion of trying to make sense of it all, I am happy to live within the mystery, and more comfortable in being the reluctant Christian. Trust your heart.

The Spiral

When I first entertained the thought of marking my body in a permanent way with ink I had many thoughts to process through. First I would want something that meant something to me. I love Dolphins, I really do, I just didn't want one tattooed on my body. No skulls and crossbones or crosses. No pictures of Christ crying or cartoon characters. None of that seemed to make sense for me. Despite the global use of the spiral to promote everything from coffee to underwear, it always had a lure for me.

 It was ancient and mystical. It was Native, organic, and held a million meanings thru countless cultures. The spiral, has signified the direction for water. The plane between the physical and the spiritual, the journey of life. The Hopi believed the center of life was where you were born. When life was perfect. I've been told the spiral is one of the earliest symbols for human spirituality. 

So there it was. The spiral. That's what I would have tattooed. Oh yeah, next hurdle...where would I have it placed? I'm at an age where physically I'm not as taut as I used to be, if you know what I mean. With grace and mercy I hope to live for many more years and I don't see a sudden rise in my physical tone. I had to find a place that would age gracefully !!  No biceps, no legs. I thought of my back but who would see it? So I settled on the inside of my forearm. Small, moderately discreet.

Yes, I had friends and family that just shook their heads, like it was some passing fancy. I guess they think only old wrinkled bikers or ex Navy guys have them. Whatever!!

My spiral has a small twist to it. On the inside of the spiral there is a cross. My way of seeing it is that when you are born you are at the center of the spiral, the closest to God I may ever be. Throughout life I have moved along the path of this spiral, this journey, down many roads. As the journey has continued I find myself on a path moving back to the center, back to God. Back to the Maker. Back to harmony with myself and everything in my world. 

The tattoo is a reminder for me everyday to move closer to the center. It is also a reminder that

everyone is at a different place on their journey. I hope for patience as others are patient with me. 

Permanent markings can be very en powering just as public professions of faith can be. I've you've thought about one, don't let the nay sayers bother you. Enjoy !!