Do you have any tattoos? I like them, but I was always a little too nervous about that buzzing needle to get one. When I was in my early 20’s, I was pretty radical, but I never got tattoos. All my buddies were getting them, but I used to tell everybody that I was “Tattooed on the inside.” I honestly didn't know what that meant, but I think it had something to do with individuality. My Bros were getting art to show that they were unique and distinctive. I never felt that urge. I felt different enough.
When I got saved, I finally realized what that phrase meant. Check this Scripture: Ephesians 2:10. We are initially created in God’s image. But when we get saved, our spirit comes alive. That word, “Workmanship” means “poetry.” See, we are unique. We are distinctive. We are not cookie-cutter. We are not all identical, we are each individual. And, we are all saved by God to accomplish some awesome purpose that He has planned for us. We are all tattooed uniquely on the inside.
Our distinctiveness comes to life when we receive Jesus as our Lord. In Colossians 1:27, Paul is writing to Believers. Christ in you is the hope of Glory. Christ in you is the deposit that ensures an eternity in heaven. Christ in you is what everyone is looking for, until they get it, then they’ve got it, and THEY become filled with the hope of Glory. Tattooed on the inside.
That glory, God’s glory that lives in you, is the hope of the nations (Matthew 12:21). The hope inside of you is the hope of all peoples. Everybody wants to know how to know God. Everybody wants to know the meaning of life. YOU’VE GOT IT! It’s tattooed on the inside of you. It’s a part of who you are.
Are you tattooed on the inside? Are you uniquely designed? The answer is yes. I know it. Pastor Big John knows it. All our Element Coaches know it. That’s why we pour our lives into you, our students. We know the Divine artistry that each of you reflect. And, it’s up to us to help you deliver the hope of glory, tattooed on the inside of you, to the world.
At Element, we are going on two missions to Costa Rica in July. We’ll be doing the ministry of Jesus, teaching preaching and healing. We’ll be doing a small building project. We’ll be hosting picnics for the locals, and playing soccer in the streets with the kids. We’ll be going on prayer walks, praying for all kinds of needs in Jesus’ name. All while we deliver the hope of glory to beautiful people, who contain within themselves poetry waiting to be expressed.
God is calling a bunch of us to go on this trip. You know you’re one of those being called if your heart is starting to beat fast as you read this. Maybe you feel the butterflies rising up in your belly. It’s so important for you to respond to the call. Don’t think about the challenges. If Jesus considered the challenges, he would never have made it to the cross. If Paul considered the challenges, we would have never heard the Gospel here at Celebration Church. Simply step out in faith, step up to the challenge, and deliver the hope of glory in you to Costa Rica this summer.
Find out more on the Element events page, here!!
PJW