11-14-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 14, 2023
Our friend in Chicago, Chris Baker, who does INK180, recently made a trip to Nepal to do what he does so well: remove or transform tattoos that have marked trafficking victims. It is a sort of branding that serves as a reminder of who you belong to (trafficker, pimp, etc.). For most of us, it is hard to even begin to fathom what these individuals have experienced, and though there is a lot of necessary counseling by which one reclaims oneself, the tattoo removal/transformation is a powerful piece of that work. Sadly, Chris fell while in Nepal and broke his wrist. And though I don’t have a lot of experience with tattoos, the hand and wrist of a tattoo artist are pretty important. Please lift Chris in prayer, and if so moved, I’m sure he’d gladly receive any donations through his website (INK180.com). In a recent online exchange, Chris was telling me about his trip, and he wrote, “I saw Jesus at His best work.” Those words brought joy to my heart, while recognizing the best work of Jesus is when the Body of Christ is doing its thing. In today’s world, a lot of things, people, and systems attempt to claim us and act as if they own us, but in faith, we claim that our identity finds its true self and purpose in God, specifically the love and mercy of God. And the work Chris does helps to communicate that true identity, assisting individuals in experiencing a rebirth into a whole new joy-filled life.

O God, whose image rests within every human being, we confess our failure in not protecting the most innocent among us. We also give thanks for the good work of all who are helping those who have experienced immeasurable suffering at the hands of those who worship at the altar of power and money. Let our prayers and tangible actions seek to bring real change to this world, a world where every human being deserves the abundant life made real in Jesus. Amen.