“Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2, NKJV.
We were just in Florida a few days ago as a family. We hoped to soak up the sunshine and taste the salt water from the beach, all while resting and enjoying our family. As we approached the resort and settled in, the children were on fire with excitement and not on their best behavior. I guess that is what excitement and early wake-ups to catch a plane equate to! That’s fine! We were excited too, looking forward to some warm weather as home was dropping to the 40s and at times rain and a 30-degree forecast.
We were blessed with an Oceanview room! It was great! Once we settled in, we headed to the pool to get some sun and allow some energy from our three young children to be burned. The families were at the pool, and also the couples, whether married or dating or just met at the local bar down the road, there were plenty of diverse makeups at the pool, beach, and hotel. I observe my surroundings. I can tell you what is going on behind me, to the right, and to the left. I can describe the atmosphere and tell you whether the climate is warm or cold. Maybe I was born with this or a part of my training that has been ingrained in me as a former Law Enforcement Officer, I do not know. However, I can tell you that it is not a bad thing to have!
It was often that I observed immodest bathing suits and lots of intoxication. Those who had wine or a mixed drink blended in well. They were not befuddled. So, over the course of two days, I noticed a “couple”. An older man with a woman in her late 20s. They were together at the pool, drinking and talking. They were not ” close” as in a “loving, affectionate couple”. They lounged next to each other, drank together, and chatted. I even heard a conversation about past relationships with other people between them! There were a few times the female and I glanced at each other, and I smiled at her. Honestly, she looked sad and “out of it”. She seemed to be hoping for more from this man. I could relate. (Definitely, check out my story here if you like: https://bibleandcake.com/category/my-story/) There was nothing there that was going to fill her. I want to say, she was not human trafficked, she was not a victim, she was there on her own accord and independent, if that makes sense. She was lonely, though, and so was he. He was empty and only filled by the 5th beer he consumed. He was warmed only by the sun perched on his body. She was half naked and only clothed by the minimum fabric from the bathing suit company. She was looking for love and comfort. She had low self-esteem and was empty.
I know all too well that happiness was not going to be found in this relationship. No relationship. He was empty too. This is not just a “female” thing. This is humanity. This is for all people. He was looking for love. He was looking for a fill. He was masking it differently, whether this was the 30th woman he was with or the 50th alcoholic drink he consumed. Either way, the love was not there. Can you relate in any way? Let’s not “judge” but let this all sink in to your heart. Do you look for a filling in similar ways? You can change this by making a decision….one important decision that will change your life forever, eternally.
The second day, we spent plenty of time at the beach. The children loved it. We loved it. The temperature of the water was warm, and the water was blue and clear near the shore. Yet, I could not help but see two women, I hope just “friends”, a few feet away from us, talking and taking selfies of their bodies in the minimal clothing they wore too. Their backsides exposed and waterproof makeup. Posing in seductive ways that should only be for the husband. I felt for them. I felt sad. I felt like they needed more. More knowledge of their worth and that they are not objects. We know from plenty of research and experiences that women are seen as objects when they carry themselves in this way. The clothing, the way a woman talks and behaves, affects the way they is seen, particularly by men. Look for yourself and read the statistics. Who wants to be seen as an object? What meaning is that? How is that a good thing? It is not at all. Sad.
What we wear as women reveals a great deal about our identity, worth, personality, morals, values, and beliefs. The little clothing at the pools and beaches has been on the rise. Scary for my husband, boys, and daughter, scary for me. What I mean by this is what we see affects our thoughts and minds. What we consume affects our spirits and souls. In God’s word, we read, “the lamp of the body is the eye. If, therefore, your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23, NKJV. As I reflect, my heart hurts for this world. Many people, all people, want to be loved. The way we act and how we “carry ourselves” reflects that. The clothes we wear show that. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”. 1 Peter 5:8, NKJV.
Little clothing, skimpy bathing suits, revealed cleavage, or seductive behavior causes attention. It draws eyes towards that individual. As a follower of Jesus Christ, should we be drawing attention to ourselves in this sexually immoral way? In the scriptures, we read in 1 Timothy, ” in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works”. 1 Timothy 2:9-10, NKJV.
Questions & Reflections: So, as a non-believer, they do not know? Do we avoid these places where we know there is provocative, inappropriate behavior and clothing? The beaches, the public pools? Do we seek Godly wisdom on these matters and go to those who are grounded and see what they would do? Again, we see God guiding us,” Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” Proverbs 15:22, NKJV.
Looking for love and attention, acceptance and approval: Cause we live in a broken, evil world. The world is hurting. Many of the situations I described above clearly illustrate that one just looking for love uniquely. A way that they can get some attention and ” feel good” for a few hours. They can flaunt their bodies because sex works, pornography and sexual sin are rampant. The people are hurting. They are masking their feelings, hurt, and pain with superficial things. Dark, demonic, and painful, this all is. Were you once like this? Are you living like this? The relationships that are broken and built on sex and drugs. No matter the amount of money, how “beautiful” one may be, how “great of a body” you may have, where you stay for the week on vacation, you are looking for LOVE. You want to FILL the filling that can ONLY be filled by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE:
Colossians 3:5, NKJV, ” Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry”.
Romans 5:8, NKJV, ” But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
You do not need to define love and feeling “wanted” by glares and being viewed as an object. Lust does not last. Coveting does not last. If you claim to love the Lord, and walk in Him and follow his word, I hope and pray you pay close attention to what you wear and where you GO. You do not need to feel good by who you date or the promotion, the salary, or the home. It is not going to last. It will all disappoint. Jesus Christ lasts and does NOT disappoint. Do you not want Him?
As we concluded our trip, I prayed and sought the Lord. I prayed that my husband would too, as the leader of our home. Let us only be led by the Holy Spirit. I pray you are too! I pray that your walk with the Lord grows deeper and that the things of your flesh do not take over. Let us pray for those in our lives that are hurting and running away from the Lord Jesus to the World and doomed for Hell. This is serious.
Galatians 5:16-18, NKJV, ” I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
~Keep busy in the Lord, your marriage, and your children. Stay grounded in your faith, most importantly. Protect those around you! Protect your marriage and babies. Love as the Lord Jesus loves! Thank you for reading and supporting this ministry!~
- Are we all craving love?
- Do not let the doubts and disappointments consume your life.
- How to be in this world and become worldly people.
- Women: We need STRONG, Godly Men…
- Please do not forget this….
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