A few days have passed and I am continuing to process my experience in Atlantic City. I joined a few ladies who were reaching out to and sharing God's love with strippers. Yes, strippers. We spent the evening praying and walking into clubs that had blacked out windows and neon lights. The buildings that most of us drive by and don't allow our thoughts to entertain what could be taking place inside. I don't know how many clubs are in Atlantic City but I noticed there seemed to be one (or more) on every corner.As we walked into one club, the girls already had an established relationship with the general manager and owner, I couldn't help but to look into the eyes of one young girl and see that she was empty, tired, and hopeless. She was given a bracelet that had the word Agape etched in it and she quietly slipped it on her arm and continued her work. This young lady who is valuable, who is created uniquely by our Lord is a treasure. I know she is! I am confident that Jesus can restore and redeem. Jesus is the only one that will love perfectly when you're stripped to the core.
I pray for the young ladies and I pray for the group of ladies that are reaching out to build relationships with the girls, managers, bouncers and security guards. I pray they will be stripped to their core. As they get to the core and the realization that sex, entertainment, relationships, money, alcohol, drugs, control and anything else will leave them empty. Only Jesus can fill us. The only One that can restore and redeem without shame and guilt and provide a hope for the future is the One that created you and desires a real relationship.
Think for a moment of Jesus' ministry here on earth. He chose to eat with sinners, He touched the untouchables in society, he gave to the needy, he crossed all culture barriers in order to love others. Many people He pursued and loved impacted others for eternity as they followed Jesus with a significant purpose! Let's be radical in the way we love others, relentlessly love others regardless if you feel like it or you're uncomfortable. This kind of love and commitment isn't new it's written in scripture. Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" Luke 9:23
Perhaps, you're not called to this specific work BUT we are called to love others regardless of color, sex, culture, lifestyle, etc. We are called to love and love genuinely. As we love others we are reminded of when we were stripped to the core and face to face with a decision to follow Christ or follow our own desires. We all come to the cross the in the same way, sinful and in need of a perfect Savior.
Everyone is worthy of love.
Everyone
is
worthy
of
love.
