A Canvas of God’s Glory

            Tattoos once were taboo, not liberating expressions. To the conservative Christians, “marking” the body was frowned upon. I’ve heard older Christians with tattoos say it’s wrong once you’re saved. This generation is different. Chris Zanarriego, a young adult, has eight and he began to getting tattoos until after becoming a Christian.

            Chris is a freshman at the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. He converted to Christianity in high school and after graduation moved out of his home. “I wanted to push myself to see if I could be independent.” Chris got his first tattoo at 17, an African Tree over his heart. “Nature is a gift from God…” he told me, “God uses trees a lot in his Word…it represents many analogies.”

            Each of Chris’ tattoos represents a “glorifying story of God’s testimony; a stage of time and things accomplished”. From shoulder to shoulder you find “Faith” and “Family” on one side of the tree and “Love” on the other as the most important things to him. The third tattoo of a “heart with a crown” and the words “Pray and don’t lose heart” that surround it, sit on his right thigh reminding him of faith and the power of prayer. A fascinating “geisha” with a Samaria sword, a lotus flower under her, two coy fish at the sides and a portrait of the great wave in the background were his forth; The honor and sacrifice of a husband, a lifestyle that runs against the grain, beautiful things emerging from tough situations and his favorite painting. The right inside of his bicep spells L_VE with the “O” as an outline of Africa. An anchor on his left wrist, John 15:13 across his lower left bicep he matches with 7 other friends and on his feet, “live in”, “the spirit”; two words on each foot “like being in Africa” he said.

Contrary to some, Chris sees no long term effects of tattooing. Rather, he focuses on “the heart of it”, like a canvas of God’s glory. I’ve witnessed young people who have seen Chris’ tattoos and asked what they meant. He shared what they represent along with these words, “The greatest testimony I can have is that as a sinner, a God of mercy can, will and does use those who seek and desire for Him, just as He has done with me.”