This month of October is breast cancer awareness month. In case you haven't noticed, pink is everywhere.
Pink blenders, pink straighteners, pink laundry detergent, pink sports supplies, pink ice chests and coolers, pink canned vegetables....
You name it, it's pink.
To begin, I am going to clear the air and set your mind at ease and state that I am a supporter of any cancer awareness. I have a heart to help with any hurt. I mourn for those lost and I pray for those battling any type of disease or disability or illness. However, I think the Church (more importantly, the Christians), have forgotten and/or overlooked a very important issue. I believe a vast number of those called by God to stand up and stand out for His righteousness and glory are found lacking. While breast cancer is most certainly a disease worthy of fund-raising, it appears that fund-raising has come before the accomplishing and determined prayer of the saints. What's more, most of the attempts at raising "awareness" are not only ridiculous and unprofitable, but downright unholy.
Remember last year's Facebook campaign where a message went out to all of the women (and women only, I might add) and suddenly statuses appeared with words like “White,” “Blue,” or “Polka dots” and no one (i.e. the men) had any clue what was up? Oh, but then word got around that the updates were the bra colors of choice and the updates were meant to pique interest of those left out of the joke (again...males) in order to "raise awareness" about breast cancer.
Really? Raise awareness? Yeah right.
Not long after that "phenomenon" the next phase was putting a number next to the color. Suggestions have been the age the women lost their virginity or the number of people they have slept with. I am none the wiser and, honestly, I don't care to know. The whole thing was sickening enough to me.
Last year, I was amazed and literally shocked speechless at how many Church girls and women on Facebook and Twitter participated in the game. Oh, I expected the non-Christians to participate, but the Church? The professed Christians? I was appalled. And it wasn't just teen or college age girls. Sunday school teachers, Pastor's wives, Evangelists' wives, mothers, grandmothers....women of every age proudly posting their "color" claiming to "raise awareness" when, really, it just brought lust to the minds of men and greatly damaged their testimony. Many lost respect. After a while, I began to see Pastors and men joining in, posting their brand or color of their undergarments. Cat calls and virtual whistling followed suit.
God, help us...
That was last year and, thankfully, I don't have to read the bra colors on Facebook anymore. However, now, we have something just as nauseating. Those of you who have Facebook may have noticed several status updates in the past few weeks with phrases such as "I like it on the couch," or "I like it on the floor." At first glance, I can guess what your first thought is. However, it seems they are revealing, not where they like to have sex, but where they like to keep their purses.
Seriously.
But by updating their status with such a mysteriously evocative statement, women are, um,
arousing attention to the breast cancer campaign.
Right? I say
wrong.
Since when is it okay and acceptable for Christians, the called out, chosen of God, to use sexual innuendo at any time? And yet, the Church is using provocative language to promote an agenda; to raise awareness; to spread the word of a disease. Horrifying. This culture is immersed in sexuality. Sex is used to sell everything from guns to pizza to cars to shoes. It is in our music, in our movies, on our magazines, in newer books, on billboards, on menus, and all over the World Wide Web. But now, it is being used to "raise awareness" for cancer. Well I would like to say a big
NO to the culture, to our society, and to being politically correct. I think it is high time for the true Christians to stand up and stand firm upon the word of God that says, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." (1 Peter 1:15)
As a great preacher has said, "
The issue and the problem with humanity is not breast cancer. There is a deeper issue and if we don't deal with the deeper issue, who cares if we have women that are healed of breast cancer if they end up in eternal fiery torment forever?"
In closing, let me say SUPPORT cancer awareness. Give money. Visit the sick and the hurting. Do the work of a Christian. But above all, PRAY. The cure is here and that cure is Jesus. Start spending more time on your knees than lacing up your walking shoes. Wrestle in prayer for the sick, the hurting, the dying and, more so, the LOST. THAT, Christians, is our calling. Playing silly games that damage your testimony and the name of Christ do nothing but hurt our Savior and His work.
And FYI..... I like it GODLY.
Titus 2:11
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Philippians 1:27a
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ..."
1 Peter 1:16
"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Ephesians 1:4
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"
James 5:16
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
