We welcomed her through our door. She stayed the night – several nights. She was a stripper.
The fitness club crossed our paths and a tough spot in life necessitated her stay. I don’t remember the details all these years later, but there’s one conversation lingering with clarity.
“What’s your biggest weekend of the year?” I asked.
“You’d be surprised, but it’s when the ________________ (insert a major denomination here) come to town for their annual convention,” she offered.
A gulp hit hard. My eyes grew large.
“Really?” I choked out.
“Yes. The club is packed that weekend,” she replied matter-of-factly.
What? Christian men – leaders at that – are hitting the strip clubs when they come to town? Seriously?
Seriously.
And that was 20ish years ago. Who knows what the stats hold today. Maybe clubbing visits have gone down due to the ease of internet access. Maybe they’re at an all-time high due to the very same cause. I don’t know. Either way, there’s a fishy smell of sin in the air.
I could wag a finger. Oh, let’s be honest – twenty years ago I did. I waved, wagged, and wiggled my prim and prissy Christian finger up in the air at the whole group of club hoppers.
It didn’t do any good.
Rarely does a wagging finger do good.
After all, sin is sin, right? It separates.
However you shape it, all sin is dark, ugly, and mankind’s eviction notice from the garden of all things good. We’ve all eaten of its rotten fruit.
All sin is dark, ugly. It's mankind's eviction notice from the garden of all things good. Click To Tweet
Is gossiping or gathering judgement different from lust or fornication?
Is gluttony for food deemed a “lighter” sin than adultery?
Are white lies better than dark, sinister ones?
My flesh wants to cry, “Look how awful! What are these men thinking?”
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; Rom. 3:23 WEB Click To Tweet
Truth cries, “Come, child. Look at your own heart…”
Mercy folds fingers in prayer, not in accusation.
Grace offers refreshment for all who will stand under its shower.
Grace offers refreshment for all who will stand under its shower. Click To Tweet
Sin is sin. None is okay. Thank God for the cleansing blood of Jesus.
We all fall short of the glory of God. We, whether finger-wagging Christian or slipping-behind-the-scenes-to-sneak-a -peek follower, have fallen short of a righteous and glorious God.
We need God Almighty. Today. Tomorrow. Always.
Do you want to grow closer to Jesus? I do.
Do you want to run the race well? Oh, I do.
If you’re nodding yes, like me, then finger-wagging must go.
There is 1 thing we must consider.
What about our own sin? Are our fingers folded in prayer versus wagging in the air?
Are our fingers folded in prayer versus wagging in the air? Click To Tweet
Fingers folded in prayer are ammunition against sin’s battle.
Below is a prayer Scripture offers. It’s perfect finger-folding opportunity.
Use it as you examine your own sin, grow in your faith, and leave finger wagging behind. I’ll be right beside you, doing the same.
Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way. PS 139:23-24 WEB
Lord,
Search my heart. You see all. Test my thoughts. You know them before I do. Show me any wickedness warring within me. Lead me in the way of everlasting instead. Lead me in Your way. I will follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wow. Hard to find words, Kristi, because your words are running deep this morning. We are whitewashed tombs but for the mercy of Jesus.
Yes, the mercy of Jesus….
Kristi,
Insightful words and truths here. I spend a lot of time in fear of finger wagging …overwhelmed in unworthiness because of the call on my life vs. the constant failures of my life. I’m afraid of being called a hypocrite or religious freak. And have been. It’s painful to be misunderstood. But, knowing the mistakes of my past and present deem it hard for me to look upon anyone else’s sin with disdain and judgement. The hate in this world is overwhelming …suffocating …and it starts with finger wagging. Not this gal. I will give you a high-five. You can count on it. Hot mess? Me, too. High-five. A life is a life, and Jesus left His for all of ours. All. Only He is just to judge. Our job is to love. And in the end, love will win.
I love how God timed your message.
Happy Tuesday,
Megs
#TestimonyTuesday
I love your spirit, Megs. And I’m nodding my head in agreement because God’s timing is more than swell. #goJesus
Psalm 139:23-24 is one of my all-time favorites. I am also reminded that I must remove the log from my own eye before considering the splinter in any one else’s. Brave, bold words, friend!
Oh goodness ~ those logs! You’re a blessing, Liz.
Kristi, thank you for this bold and beautiful reminder that we all stand on the same level at the foot of the cross. Praise God for His grace, covering the self-righteous the same as the stripper!
Yes, praise God, Meredith. Truly.
We need God Almighty – there simply isn’t any answer, is there? He is still and always good and when darkness comes, we cling to light. Great thoughts, dear friend.
Thanks, Tiffany. Clinging to light…
“Mercy folds fingers in prayer, not in accusation.” A reminder my heart needs. Not pointing a finger, but praying for and loving my neighbor. Thank you, Kristi, for speaking truth.
You’ve offered grace and truth here today, Kristi … as you always do.
Weekend blessings to you, to yours, friend …
I love this, Kristi. And I’m right there with you. I’m so grateful God worked in my heart to help me realize that there are no levels where sin is concerned, but He had to work overtime on me! Thankful for His unending patience today:) Blessings, friend!
“Rarely does a wagging finger do any good.” So true. I plan to keep my eyes on my fingers. I want to make sure they stay folded in prayer instead of pointed at others. Great insight, friend! #livefreeThursday
Love this. So hard to swallow, but so true. #livefreeThursday
Great post. Visiting from #livefreeThursday. Blessings & peace to you!