Humans have marked their bodies since ancient times. Tattoos then served many purposes: amulets, status symbols, signs of love and beliefs, adornments and punishment.
In the Philippines, as I remember, only hoodlums and criminals had tattoos, graphic signs of “bad.” People would speak in whispered derision or fear when they saw people (mostly men) with tattoos.
This photo from a newspaper reminded me of those days—convicts in a jail were stripped bare for illegal-drugs inspection. This is not a photo of “then.” This is a photo of “now.”
In addition to convicts and would-be convicts, all strata of society are enamored with tattoos—from high-schoolers, to millennials, to celebrities. The designs may be different (finer, more colorful and artistic today) but they are called the same name: tattoo.
In fashion, one couldn’t wear pearls or lace with jeans. Neither could one wear dresses without hose or a slip. Just look around any day, everything is okay—short hemline, uneven hemline, or sheer hemline matched with denims, slippers, or rubber shoes.
In parenting, a child couldn’t talk back to his parents. Today, children are encouraged to speak their minds and they feel entitled to equal respect. Laws are such that capital punishment is now illegal.
What were once wrong are now "right." Lying, name-calling, cursing, accusing, ranting, shaming, and killing are a daily fare on the Internet, especially social media. I can’t name all that has become a norm—from what used to be wrong—due to my self-imposed blog word count.
But I am afraid, deathly afraid, that soon, we may no longer see the difference between what’s wrong and what’s right. The yardstick for what’s okay has radically changed.
Isaiah 5:20 (ESV) warns and reminds me and anyone who shares my faith: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
The grace to see the difference is what we seek, because not everything is okay.
4 comments:
That's why we need to really storm heaven with prayers for our children and grandchildren, and all children everywhere. His grace should be bigger than the net spread out by Satan to entrap them through worldly enticements.
I don't know if this sharing is relevant but i just realized that i'm becoming addicted to the internet. It's a double-edged sword--advantageous but also makes one unproductive. I caught myself spending more time with social media than reading the Bible and praying. It has stolen my time for quiet times with the Master. Lately, not everything is okay. Thanks for the Isaiah 5:20 reminder :-)
Dear Vie,
This is growing concern across all demographics (and especially among millennials). We continue to ask for guidance on how to manage this modern mania. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Indeed, it is VERY relevant!
Hello, Yay! I am with you in this constant prayer for our the protection of our children (and everyone who are being lured more and more toward this digital entrapment). Thank you.
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