The Way of Ink and Conversation
As a military chaplain, the thing I encounter more than anything else is tattoos. (One way you can tell you are near a military base is the rising number of tattoo parlors and used-car lots the closer that you get!) One of my favorite conversation starters is, “Hey, tell me about your ink….” Whatever story you hear next will carry some deeper meaning for that individual: a story of triumph or loss, a hope for the future, a longing or desire, a special person or circumstance, and/or a religious meaning. Sometimes it’s just a story of losing a bet—or one’s inhibitions. Regardless, you will always hear a story when it comes to someone’s ink, and it can teach you a lot about the person with whom you are talking.
If you Google “spirituality” and “tattoos,” you will get a plethora of different thoughts, opinions, and guidance: placement “guides spiritual energy,” the tattoos represent the journeys of life, etc. While there is a Jewish taboo against tattooing, [1] we also find that tattooing has been a part of certain Christian groups since at least the 7th century. [2] For many, tattooing becomes a way to represent one’s faith visually, both to one’s self and to others; it makes faith tangible and “more than skin deep” to many.
Regardless of your own personal feelings about tattoos, from a standpoint of simply trying to meet people where they are, talking about someone’s ink might be a way to open a door or lead to a deeper conversation in which you get to hear about someone’s life or to share about Jesus. [3]
One day while working out with some of my Marines, I noticed one, David, [4] had a beautiful scene of the cross and the empty tomb covering the left side of his torso; it was intricately drawn with lots of lines and shading. On a whim, I asked him about it… and he got quiet and said he didn’t want to talk about it. Wanting to respect his privacy, I moved on and continued joking around with some of the other Marines. Later that evening, David came by and told me his story; it was one he didn’t want the others to hear but that he wanted to share with me. David had practiced self-mutilation during his teenage years, and the place he chose to cut was on his left side where no one would really see it. He got the tattoo when he came back to faith, and it was realizing that God loved him and valued him that helped him seek help for cutting. He chose to cover that area with a tattoo that reminded him that Christ died for him—even him.
In Isaiah 49, God is speaking to a people who have been through trauma and turmoil, and he is bringing them hope. They feel forgotten, but God reiterates that he is constantly there with them and hasn’t forsaken them. Isaiah’s prophecy states:
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…”(Is. 49:15-16a)
God has engraved them on his hands. They are a constant reminder of God’s people to Godself and to his people, who will see it.
For many, tattoos are a way of marking one’s identity to the world. Asking about their ink is a window into their heart, to see what is most important to them. And they can be a way for Christians to share their faith perspective and spiritual identity with everyone they encounter. For many, it is a way to embody the faith that is central to who they are.
So… just ask! Let the Spirit guide your questions and ask with genuine care and curiosity. And see what stories God might unfurl in front of you; you might be surprised at the doors that open or the stories of grace you encounter.
1. Leviticus 19:28
2. https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2009/march/tattoos-of-cross.html
3. John Teter talks about this in an article he wrote for Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/july-august/want-to-share-gospel-effectively-always-ask-about-tattoo.html
4. Name changed for privacy.
