Youth Sexualization and the Media

As 8-year-old Britney, a California beauty pageant competitor, awaits her Botox injection, her mind is fixated on eliminating wrinkles. Last week, on Good Morning America, Britney admitted that she thinks wrinkles are not nice on little girls, (ABCNews.com). Britney’s mother, Kerry, administers the Botox injections in the pursuit of triumph over the other done-up little ones. The goal? Bring home the crown.

Jayne Bennington, a British fame-seeking mother, ensures her 11 year-old daughter, Sasha, is beautified with fake tanning, hair extensions and pedicures. She laughed when Sasha told interviewers her opinion of herself, “Blonde, pretty, dumb – I don’t need brains,” (Mail Online).

The sexualization of young girls is prevalent in the media culture. The American Psychological Association (APA) uncovered sexualization of women in nearly every media form studied including video games, sports media and music lyrics. The negative consequences affect girls’ mental and cognitive wellbeing, emotional and physical health, attitudes and beliefs, and sexuality, APA.



Girls are wearing more provocative clothing, developing eating disorders and engaging in acts of self-harm, and having sex at younger ages. When will enough be enough? Are performance-driven, beauty pageant parents truly seeking their daughter’s best interest? At what cost are we willing to subject our children in order to satisfy our personal feelings of inadequacy? Is subjecting young girls to dangerously destructive media messages worth the profit gained from promotion and sales?

We were made with a purpose. We were intentionally created. Gensis 1:27 declares, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” We were not made to be sexually objectified and discontent with our bodies. In fact, God granted us freedom to live under grace (Romans 6:14). We are encouraged to live boldly because we are His chosen children (Ephesians 1:4-7).

When our focus is on anxiously meeting the standards of our society, we neglect to experience the freedom in which Christ provided (Romans 6:23). We can become obsessive over straining to attain acceptance from a world that demands unachievable perfection. When we pursue the heavenly realms we exude an unmistakable, holy confidence. We walk in grace, knowing God’s purpose for our lives will be fulfilled (Psalm 138:8).

How do we protect innocent little ones from the sex-crazed, confidence-crushing, devaluing media messages? Instill a renowned self-respect and boost self-esteem with nonperformance and nonappearance related compliments. Give her the tools she needs to speak her mind. Encourage her to excel in math and the sciences. The APA recommends co-viewing media with young girls, in the hopes of helping shape their interpretations of the delivered messages.



We are called for more. How will you change the growing trend?



Sources:

American Psychological Association (APA), Sexualization of Girls
http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/girls/report.aspx

ABCNews.com
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/mom-year-daughter-botox-young-young/story?id=13580804

Mail Online, Mummy's little Lolita: The 11-year-old girl whose beauty treatments cost £300 a month to make her look like Barbie
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1032029/Mummys-little-Lolita-The-11-year-old-girl-beauty-treatments-cost-300-month-make-look-like-Barbie.html

Interesting Info:

Cover Girl Culture: Awakening the Media Generation
http://www.covergirlculture.com/

Jesus Gives Life

Too much and still not enough.
Broken in this world, yet complete in Him.
Seeking outer beauty when the inner has eternal value.
Long days, lonely nights.

Too loud but not bold enough.
Empty from the pain, yet full from His grace.
Seeking more than what is superficially offered.
He saves, gives life.

When You Do, Sometimes You Don't

I have always been a “doer” and a “busy-bee.” I try to do it all. Rest? Who needs it when you can meet friends for coffee dates, coach youth athletics, serve at church, cover extra shifts at work, and prepare meals for sick friends?

On the surface, these things appear righteous and respectable. But, when the motive of the doer is analyzed, a thoughtful gesture or favor may be more self-gratifying in nature. Often times, the insecure thought pattern behind the over-committed individual is “I do, therefore I am. If I do (insert good/moral thing here), I must be good/moral.

God created each of us with passions and skills and He has a plan to use those qualities of our character. We learn this in Ephesians 2:10. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We can busy ourselves doing good things, but still be out of His will.

Getting caught up in doing the right thing, being in the right place, volunteering for too many extracurricular activities can and has distracted me from knowing God more. If you want to recognize and know the voice of God, you must devote time and effort to cultivate a love relationship with Him.

Is it wrong for a person to volunteer at a local food bank? No, not if that is where God has called the individual to serve. Am I sinning when I meet up with a friend for a coffee date, with the mindset of nurturing our relationship? Absolutely not! But, I must question my motives. Is my goal to serve my friend and love on them, or am I avoiding the loneliness I often feel when I am at my house by myself before my roommates get off work when I know I should be studying the Word or writing?

This is not as much an issue of procrastination as it is avoidance of truth and evasion of pain. And it is draining! Oswald Chambers said, “It is impossible to get exhausted in work for God. We get exhausted because we try to do God’s work in our own way.” Though I do, I don’t. I don’t prioritize time to cultivate my love relationship with the Lord. I don’t pursue the passion He has intricately woven into my being. I don’t serve in the capacity He calls. So, though I am doing and am utterly consumed with mostly good things, I don’t do what I have been created to do.

Where can you simplify your schedule? How can you prioritize time to do those things God is leading you to do? I encourage you to track your week. In hourly (or half hourly) increments, write the activities, service, hobbies, down time, etc. How often do you pursue those things that bring you joy? Are you living with the purpose God has planned?

For a little inspiration, check out:
ibloom.co/ “10 Ways to Get Inspired”

The Wings of Freedom

Freedom is absolutely exquisite. It is the gradual rolling hills of the vast, golden meadow. The endless gravel path, winding through tunnels lush with canopies of exotic greenery. The dancing notes of a cheerful melody, synchronizing keys and strings, merrily uplifting and perfectly tuned.

As the eagle gallantly soars overhead, the wind glides beneath his wings. He is graceful as his feathers catch the cool breeze, carrying him across the translucent heavens. His flight pattern is unpredictable. He is free as he soars. He is beautiful as he effortlessly cuts across the clear sky. Soft, white clouds, like smudges on a canvas, set the perfect backdrop. He has no limits and no restricting boundaries. He has no concerns or worries; only inherent elegance.

Similarly to the eagle, God intended us to live in freedom. Within the boundaries of his incredible will, he desperately desires his children to experience Him fully, to know Him as Provider, Rock, and Salvation. Where your tender heart has been thrashed, He is your Healer. When overwhelmed by endless responsibility and hopeless doubts, He is your Sustainer. He is the wind that will gently carry you to solid ground.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Are you bombarded by the shame of past failures? Has your joy been stripped away and buried under agonizing years of intense and debilitating grief? Do not despair.

An unconceivable freedom subsists only within the love, protection, and guidance of the Lord. When this heavenly liberation is experienced, the absence of worry and guarantee of salvation inspire a new and robust confidence. With a simple invitation to become Lord of your life, you can know God’s perfect freedom.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20

He adores you. He desires you. He destined your life at the time of conception. He is loyal. He is just. He is good. So good.

Come, take flight and reside in His everlasting , redeeming freedom.

Longings

What do you long for?

To provide for your family? To be remembered for a great achievement? To be the most trusted and respected individual in your ministry?

What do you long for?

As the sun slowly wakes from its slumber and casts a sheet of light across the sleepy ground, do you earnestly desire to see God’s glorious face?

While you lazily sip a steaming mug of Seattle’s Best and catch up on the daily news, are your thoughts instantly directed toward fully knowing the King of the Universe?

In preparation for another day at the office and sifting through unorganized hangers loaded with tailored suits and brand new blouses, do you tell Him you simply crave more moments in His presence?

What do you long for?

While standing squished on the crowded city bus, strangers bumping into you with ever jarring pothole, are you fervently focused on unreservedly loving His people?

As your supervisor continues in pointless chatter, overlooking the time and assigning unexpected projects to be completed before days end, do you call out to Christ and lay your worries on His throne?

Who does your mind dwell on when your spouse misinterprets your gesture and impulsively reacts with cruel remarks?

He asks for love.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37

Simple?

Then why do we consistently choose worldly, temporary objects over the most perfect and sustaining love relationship?

Where is your zeal? Your passion?

What do you long for?

My Heart's True Desire

To bask in Your presence,
See Your beauty,
Know You completely.
My heart’s true desire.

To recognize Your voice,
See Your face,
Relax in Your peace.
My heart’s true desire.

To dwell in Your house,
Appreciate Your goodness,
Feel Your embrace.
My heart’s true desire.

To serve Your kingdom,
Worship Your name,
Talk to You frequently.
My heart’s true desire.

To sense Your Spirit,
Comprehend Your plan,
Accept Your forgiveness.
My heart’s true desire.

To experience Your glory,
Rejoice in Your friendship,
Obey Your commands.
My heart’s true desire.

To breathe in Your breath,
Trust in Your ways,
Treasure each moment with You.
My heart’s true desire.

Glorifying God with Your Body

Throughout my personal struggle with body image and loving myself for who God created me to be rather than what God created me to look like, I have read countless books, articles, and heard several speakers use 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in reference to the way we must approach our physical body in the context of bringing glory to God. This verse is often quoted within the realms of eating disorders, body image distortion, exercise addictions, over and underweight, inner peace, confidence, and self-love.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV).

Another popular passage is 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (ESV)

In The Message this same scripture states, “You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God's temple, you can be sure of that. God's temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.”

As these verses are inspiring and encouraging (they ARE the WORD of GOD), we cannot use these commands conversely to support over-exercising, obsession with calorie counting, and worshiping the body above the Lord.

Let me take a quick detour as to explain myself more fully. The Word clearly states that one must be right with others before giving to the Lord. He is not interested in money from His people if we have relationships to mend. At church on Sunday, our pastor reminded us that we must not use broken relationships or strife as an excuse to withhold giving. That is twisting the Word to suit our selfishness. Example: Someone somewhere is mad at me, so I cannot give today.

Manipulating the meaning and using false application of the Word is wrong. Yes, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. But, girl, you cannot stretch scripture to excuse your actions when you invest 90 plus minutes sweating on the elliptical and only a fraction of that time digging into the Word. The Bible is God’s Word. He communicates to us through it, revealing His truths and teaching us of His goodness, faithfulness, and almighty power.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)

We must find a balance between caring for our bodies (“temples”) and becoming overly consumed with weight loss or maintenance. Consider analyzing how you spend those precious minutes of the day. Do you exercise longer than you study the Word? Are you flexible with your schedule in a way that would allow you to simply cancel plans and go where God wants you to be in the very moment He calls? Are you glorified by your fit physique or do you glorify God with your body? Obsession over exercise and weight loss is far more than a health issue; it is a heart issue. While exercising your body is of value, exercising your soul is eternal.

Love wholly, live fully, rejoice daily.

Thank God Almighty, I am FREE at Last

Beauty is found in freedom. The gradual rolling hills of the wide-open pasture. The endless gravel path, winding through tunnels of lush canopies of greenery. A clear, blue sky, lightly painted with wisps of misty clouds.

Freedom.

The wind glides beneath his wings as an eagle soars overhead. His feathers catch the breeze, carrying him across the translucent heavens. His flight pattern is unpredictable. He is free as he soars. It is beautiful to gaze up, watching the eagle effortlessly cut across the sky. He has no limits, no restricting boundaries. He is not concerned with me, examining his graceful flight.

God intended us to live in this freedom, within the boundaries of his will. Isaiah 61:1-3 states, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

A freedom like no other exists only under the love, protection, and guidance of the Lord. You can experience this liberation, this absence of worry and guarantee of salvation. With a simple Invitation into your life, you can come to know the beauty of the God’s freedom.