He had booties on but somehow scraped his foot even through the thick neoprene water boots. We finished our trek out of the water to get to the first large rock we could find to sit down and remove his boot to assess the situation. There was no cut or tear in the boot. Instead, there were about 20 or 30 black spines that were stuck in the side of his boot like protruding toothpicks.
He carefully took off his boot and looked closer to realize they were sea urchin spines. He had not cut his foot on a rock but rather stepped on a sea urchin—those spiny marine invertebrates that look like water porcupines rolled up in a ball!
As we picked the spines out of his boot, we looked down at his foot. He had been inked by the sea urchin. The side of his foot was filled with black ink pin pricks from the sea urchin’s spiny needles. It looked like he had a tattoo consisting of sporadic ballpoint pen spots.
Concerned about what this could mean medically, we started researching proper treatment. Online research suggested we carefully remove the spines with tweezers, soak the affected area with hot water and vinegar, clean up the infected site with soap and water, and manage the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary.
Realizing this was nothing serious in this case and that he wouldn’t be losing a limb over this experience, I began to research how long the ink would take to dissolve. I read it could take months to go away. I laughed out loud. That did not help erase the pain in the moment. I know it wasn’t funny, but I had to make light of the situation. I even went as far as to joke and suggest he pencil in an appointment with a tattoo artist somewhere and consider getting a permanent tattoo with these specific pin pricks to forever remember this adventure! Thankfully it did not take months or even weeks. The ink was gone within a few days. It’s amazing what one little encounter with a sea creature can do. It certainly can mark you!
As I looked at his tattooed foot in flip flops the next few days after the incident, I could visually see the encounter that left its mark on him. There was tangible proof.
I wondered if I am branded in a way after my encounters with the Lord that leaves such an impression that others undoubtedly know that I have had an encounter with Christ? I thought: Has my soul been permanently inked by my encounters with Jesus? How about you? Do you have spiritual tattoos on your soul so to speak?
The Bible does say that our salvation encounter with Jesus leaves a lasting impression on our lives. It seals us with the undeniable and unmistakable Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory,” (NKJV).
God’s Holy Spirit is a seal upon us—like a stamp or ink of a promise after we call upon Him and trust in Him as our Lord and Savior. The seal of the Holy Spirit is a portion of our inheritance now and a promise more is to come with eternal life in Him. What a glorious identification!
The Message version says it this way, “It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.”
God leaves us with a signed, sealed, and delivered reminder after we believe in Him. There is no forgetting our encounter. Tattoos, sea urchins, and life experiences in general can leave a mark on our lives, but nothing compared to the way God marks us.
Contemplate the ways the Holy Spirit has left His mark on you. Take time to share your God encounters with others and journal them so you will never forget. Keep pointing to Jesus and acknowledge all the ways He has marked you through every encounter!
How can you make Monumental Moments and live to multiply His movement today?
