Friday, March 27, 2015

Feminine Modesty. A burden?


Feminine modesty has never been a burden to me. It has been logistically difficult at times (when I was a kid you couldn't find a skirt in a store) but never a burden. I know what persecution feels like. And the article of clothing that I cover my body with has never placed me in a situation where I experienced the emotional trauma of persecution (aside from that one time that mom made me wear a reindeer sweater UNDER my Pocahontas dress. I'm pretty sure that caused some damage to my six year old psyche ;D)

So why are we constantly applauding the "sacrifice" of dressing like a lady. Fasting is a sacrifice. Going without sleep night and day in prayer for some one is a sacrifice. Going without basic needs to give to someone else is a sacrifice. Living on the backside of the jungle to spread the Word is a sacrifice. Enduring a second glance as you walk through Walmart is NOT a sacrifice. Even taking a stance at your work with our "anti discrimination" society is not a sacrifice. Choosing one article of clothing over another is only a sacrifice to your flesh's preferences to wear something else. Which is not something that is worthy of exuberant praise. Denying our preferences for those of God should be a minimum requirement for a christian and should not be compared to the martyrs in the arenas of Rome. That is not to say that no one has ever experience persecution over a modesty standard. But for the most of us the experiences we've had can be categorized as an uncomfortable disagreement. Not a traumatizing persecution.

By all means praise a women for the life of Christ that she expresses in confession, works, and even appearance but when we place undue exultation on the "reproach bearing, burden, and sacrifice" of something as material as, literally, material we actually incite feelings of pity and persecution where otherwise there wouldn't be any. The way I dress factors into the image of Christ that I need to express to the world. So tell me what is more salty? Some one who is confident and joyful in the revelation of femininity that God has given them or someone who is constantly having to be bolstered up due to the "tremendous struggle and burden" of feminine modesty?

"1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."  Galatians 5:1

"22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" Galatians 5





"13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5