When the faith of your heart becomes a tattoo on your arm...
More than a decade ago, while ministering in Jordan and Egypt, I was so inspired by the brave and surrendered act of local Jesus-followers to take up their cross in the form of a permanent tattoo on their right wrist, that I chose to do the same while there – which is a great story on its own, but for a different day. The cross tattoo identifies you as one with Christ. Even though this association may (and for many in Egypt and Jordan DOES) lead to hardship in ways both incremental and monumental. In very basic terms, it declares, “No matter what may come, my faith is in Jesus.” It’s no wonder I chose the small Coptic Cross as my first (and at the time, I assumed would be my only) tattoo. But then just days later, in what I believe to be one of many precious times God communicated with me in ways only he does or can, I found myself on a train, travelling across the Egyptian countryside (is that what they call it in Egypt?), reading the story of a young missionary named William Borden.
In 1904 Borden graduated from high school. As heir to the Borden family fortune, he was already wealthy. For his graduation present, William's parents gave him a trip around the world. As the young man traveled, he felt a growing burden for the world's hurting people. Finally, he wrote home about his "desire to be a missionary." One friend expressed disbelief that Bill was "throwing himself away as a missionary." In response, he wrote two words in the back of his Bible: "No reserves."
When William arrived at Yale University in 1905, very quickly his classmates noticed something unusual about him. One of them wrote: "He had already given his heart in full surrender to Christ. We who were his classmates learned to lean on him and find in him a strength that was solid as a rock, just because of this settled purpose and consecration."
During his college years, William began a small prayer group that grew to a weekly bible study engaging one-thousand of Yale’s 1,300 students. But his ministry was not confined to campus. He cared about widows and orphans and the disabled. He rescued addicts from the streets of New Haven. He founded the Yale Hope Mission. Upon graduation from Yale, Borden turned down some high-paying job offers. In his Bible, Bill Borden wrote two more words: "No retreats."
After studying in Seminary, William sailed for China. Because he was hoping to work with Muslims, he stopped first in Egypt to study Arabic. While there, he contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, 25-year-old William Borden was dead. Was Borden's untimely death a waste? Not in God's perspective. As the story has it, prior to his death, Borden had written two more words in the back of his Bible. Underneath the words "No reserves" and "No retreats," he had written "No regrets."
Was it coincidence that a mere 48 hours after my decision to be tattooed with a symbol that means “Jesus over everything, no matter what” I read a story of a man who had literal LIVED that to his very last breath? A last breath that took place while he ministered in the very same Egypt I was, no less? I doubt it, but coincidence or not, God was speaking to me, convicting me, and challenging me to go deeper with him. To trust him more. Less and less of myself, and more and more of him. (That’s the true formula for purpose, joy, and contentment, by the way.)
Since that day on that train, I knew one day I would have William Borden’s declarations added to the Coptic Cross. This past September that day came. “No reserves, No retreats, and No regrets” – accessorized with lotus flowers, the National flower of Egypt – became a permanent aim and testimony not only in my heart, but on my arm.
So…why do I share this with you today? Well, many reasons. But, one is hope that William Borden’s story may serve to inspire you and call you to something more and deeper, as it did for me. Another is because my word for 2021 is Rooted. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
In the fall of 2019, I participated in a Bible Study course, and our homework one week was to study Jesus’ habits around prayer. Among several revelations, I noted how often the scripture accounts for Jesus withdrawing, choosing solitude, as he prayed. Very often this immediately preceded a miracle, a defining event, or an extreme challenge. What do I know but that 2021 may have all of the above in store for me, and that being the case, all the more reason for me to be deeply rooted. As I join my Cornerstone Family in a 21 day period of fasting and prayer, I will be withdrawing from much time on social media platforms in favor of solitude with my Savior.
Jesus’ challenge to trust him beyond reserves and retreats with no regrets wasn’t a one and done deal for me. It’s a decision I have had to make over and over again over the last 10 plus years. It’s one I am sure to face repeatedly until I am face to face with the Lord – and certainly throughout the unknown of this year ahead. I want to be confident in Him no matter what comes my way. Without fear, without worry; with love and with joy to offer abundantly.
No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.
Rooted.
Rachel Carpenter
Cornerstone Church
Executive Director
