While I was in traffic this morning I noticed the truck in front of me had quite a few stickers on it. There was a Waller County.... Then there was a longhorn logo, a blue star (Dallas Cowboys), 100 (100 club) and a variety of others that I can't remember and didn't have time to write down. What I found interesting was the fact that several of these stickers were merely a logo or symbol that represented something. For example - the blue star you probably could have guessed the Dallas Cowboys without me telling you. The longhorns - University of Texas, the 100 was from the police's 100 club. You get the idea. We have many images/logos that we readily recognize what the symbol represents.
I began to wonder what image/logo I represent daily. Years ago I had an ichthus tattooed on my ankle. The decision to do this stemmed from my desire to want a physical manifestation of who I am in Christ. I recalled a study of Revelation that speaks of people taking the mark of the beast. While I knew that believers would have a mark as well I chose to be marked now of my identity in Christ. The ichthus (greek for fish) is a fish symbol used by early Christians. The five greek letters for ichthus translate to "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior". When I had the symbol permanently put on my body I knew the history of the symbol but had not fully understood its' greek translation. I sit here and I Corinthians 6:19-20 comes to mind. 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.
My body is a symbol for Jesus Christ and His blood shed on the cross. I can have a tattoo on my ankle, wear a purity ring and put a cross around my neck but am I a walking symbol for Christ? If I'm honest with myself (and God) the answer is disappointing. It is much easier to look like it than it is to walk it out. This week I'm going to do my best "to walk by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7
I have found out a lot about myself this past week. While I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for revealing new revelation to me I also was saddened at how easily I can be separated from God because I've been deceived by the devils schemes. He still uses the same tactics on you and I as he did in the garden. I was reminded this week after feeling like a failure in areas of my life that God does not create failures-He has a purpose for me, He has a purpose for you. Do not let satan deceive you. "It is for freedom that Christ set you free, therefore stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 Did you get that believer? We are set free, do not let satan convince you otherwise.
May the sign you wear boldly be that of Christ Jesus.
