Austin's Story
I first noticed that Austin had a tattoo when I saw him play basketball last year. After talking with him recently about tattoos, I learned (much to my surprise) that he has three. And each tattoo has a story behind it that I thought was worth sharing.

Austin got his first tattoo when he was 18. Though he admits it was kind of an “impulse tattoo,” it still holds a great deal of meaning for him. The tattoo, on his left bicep, is of the Hebrew words for “redeemed and forgiven.” Austin says he got those words because he was struck by the fact that we are redeemed and made righteous through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

His second tattoo is of the reference Psalm 54:7, which reads, “For [God] has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.” (NIV) Austin says this verse was extremely influential in his life a couple years ago when he was going through some shoulder injuries, which kept him from playing basketball for a time. He says those injuries and resulting surgeries made it feel like God was taking away a blessing He had given Austin.

However, after going through rehabilitation Austin was able to come back and play basketball for Cedarville University. Soon after, he got the tattoo of Psalm 54:7 on his left wrist to serve as a reminder that he did not come back to play basketball by his own strength; but rather, God had delivered him from the trial of injuries. And now Austin intentionally reminds himself of this truth by looking at his wrist and reciting “delivered” in his head a couple times before taking free throws in games.

Though Austin says his wrist tattoo means the most to him, he says his side tattoo is probably his favorite. This tattoo, like his others, pertains to Scripture, but it has a lot more detail than the other two.

In his side tattoo, the dead tree represents the sin in our lives and how we are “constantly ravaged by the evil around us.” But amid this despairing picture there is a piece of fruit on one of the branches. He says that this fruit represents how we are to bear fruit in our trials and also how there is always hope and life in Jesus Christ, regardless of what is going on around us. To drive home the point of hope, there is a scroll with the reference to 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 on it. This passage reads, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Well, I hope you all have been encouraged by these reminders that are found in the stories behind Austin’s ink. As usual, if you have any comments or questions I would love to hear from you. Have a blessed week. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday!