Ann Voskamp in her blog “A Holy Experience” recently told of the plight of 9 year old girls in Iraq that were being kidnapped, sold as sex slaves and a host of other unmentionables by ISIS. Please see this link for the riveting and heartbreaking firsthand account.
<a href=”http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/05/into-iraq-2-what-the-news-isnt-telling-you-why-we-cant-afford-to-pretend-its-not-happening-sozans-impossible-choice-and-our-very-possible-one/
It’s with a bit of trepidation that I write this blog. And yet, God has been placing the plight of women on my heart quite heavily over the last couple of months…
Tonight I watched a documentary titled, “Hot Girls Wanted” that reveals in a very raw, real, eye opening way the plight of 18 year old American girls who seek out fame and fortune through the billion dollar a year industry of online amateur pornography.
These young girls, through social media giants like Twitter and other online forums attract tens of thousands of followers and encourage their followers to subscribe to an unbelievable amount of websites that usher you into viewing acts that take one’s imagination far beyond its limits.
It’s sobering, sad and tough to watch how these young girls are treated like objects, humiliated, shamed, used, abused, chewed up and thrown to the curb emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically. The male “handler” in the film is very matter of fact in his hopeful outlook that as soon as one “set” of “hussies” are washed up there are at least ten more literally knocking on his door.
His smug comment set me on my heels, “Every day a girl turns 18 somewhere…”
He advertises his services across America through “Craigslist” with the banner headline –
“HOT GIRLS WANTED”
SeeingGodatWorkEveryDay…
I have become more aware of the discrimination against women in the last two months than I have in the previous fifty-two years. I wish I could sit here and say, “I sure am glad that I have never discriminated against women.” If I would say that, if I would type that, if I would even suggest that, I would be lying.
I have discriminated against women in many ways.
I have learned a lot of lessons over the years, but suffice it to say that at some point in my life:
I have been guilty of being more interested in the size of a woman’s breasts than in the immense power of her brain.
I have been guilty of gazing at a woman’s butt rather than being mesmerized by the beauty of her soul.
I have been guilty of sizing up the length of a woman’s legs rather than sizing up the length of her accomplishments.
I have been guilty of dismissing the emotion of a woman rather than embracing the passion of her heart.
I have been guilty of a lot of things…
To the women who read this, I offer to you my heartfelt, deep and sincere apology…
There but for the grace of God, go I…
No more discrimination…
Pray for the girls who are searching for meaning and purpose in their life by seeking out pornography as their main hope.
Pray for the men, the overwhelming majority of men who support this industry.
Pray for the nine year old girls in the Middle East.
Pray for women around the world.
Pray for men around the world.
Pray for the eighteen year old girls in the United States of America.
Pray that the eyes of their hearts and the eyes of their ambition will be blind to the enticing banner of “Hot Girls Wanted!”
Peter speaking of women – “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3. 3-4 ESV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[f]
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31: 10-31)
SeeingGodatWorkEveryDay…
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
David@seeinggodatworkeveryday.com
www.aholyexperience.com
@annvoskamp