"Fear God" . . .
In my opinion, it's the most intriguing of Lil Wayne's facial tattoos.
He has the word "Fear" tattooed on his right eyelid, and "God" tattooed on his left.
When his eyes are open, you can't see it. But I have his April 2009 Rolling Stone magazine cover blown up and hanging over my bed; his pose is slightly bent over, he pensively looks down. I see those tats every day.
"Fear God."
Nowadays, most of us aren't accustomed to spiritual ultimatums. The expression sounds so "Old Testament," almost terrifying. What does it mean?
First off, it is a concept that comes from the Old Testament. It really is so "Biblical." So "quaking and trembling" and get down on your knees.
Why did Lil Wayne put it on his face?! lol
Well, of course we can take him at "face value," that he really does "Fear God." But then of course there's also what religion has meant to the African-American community. For Lil Wayne, I think "Fear God" is a stamp of joy.
As we all know, the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, tells the story of the Jewish people. In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, God promises Abraham that He will bless and protect his posterity in exchange for obedience.
That promise came during what was a rather frightening, chaotic time for humanity. It was an era of seemingly many Gods and many "truths," warring tribes, and lawlessness. God stepped into that chaos and said: "I'll take care of you."
"Obedience to the One True God" sums it up.
Why be obedient?
Because God knows what's true and what "works." If you choose to play for His team, guaranteed you'll win, because . . .
He's God.
He's there to educate and to lead. But most of all, he's there to redeem. He's a God of miracles.
God famously liberated the Jews from slavery to the Egyptians. With His help, they conquered the land of Canaan (modern day Israel). Even the walls of mighty Jericho fell down.
God was there during the tough times, too. When the Jews fell into wickedness and enslavement by the Assyrians and Babylonians, prophecies of a liberating "Messiah" just kept coming.
God never gives up on His people.
But . . .
He asks that they not give up on Him. To play on His team, they have to play by His rules. His ways--the ways that work--are true. People have to get themselves in alignment with true principles or else God can't work through them.
And if they do . . .
Nothing can keep even the walls of mighty Jericho from falling down.
When Lil Wayne tattooed "Fear God" on his face, I think that's what he was getting at.
"Fearing God" isn't just some mindless, fearful act of prostration. It means knowing who's in charge, who sets the rules, and having respect for that, so that God can work miracles in your life.
The miraculous, transformative power of God and the principle that "obedience is freedom" is something that African-Americans have historically celebrated. Enslaved in America, they identified with the enslaved children of Israel. Humbled by circumstance, the message resonated. And it's probably why the church has played such a big role in African-American culture.
Even today, you can feel it. My brother sang in a Gospel Choir that performed once at a Baptist Church in San Jose (predominantly African-American congregation). The joy that community felt in religion was palpable. Above all, you hear it in the music. They literally raised the roofs praising Jesus.
"Obedience is freedom" and God is a God of miracles.
"Fear God."
0 comments:
Post a Comment