By: Scott Cottingham, Flint Baptist Church Missions Committee Chairman, Deacon, Know Love Class Teacher
Hear me loud and clear. The verse I am using is an odd translation compared to other translations, but I got my mind going in this direction, and it needs to be said. Prior to yesterday (Sunday school lesson and missions meeting) and without this obscure translation, I would never have gone this route. But, here we are.
The epidemic of COVID had absolutely nothing on this epidemic which very few talk about. Let’s get started.
1 Corinthians 7:1b
(printed CSV, not digital CSV?)
1 …”It is good for a man not to use a woman for sex.”
The mission committee I serve on spoke with the director of a new ministry called Selah Life Choices yesterday, that places girls/women after they’re rescued from sex trafficking, into a safe place. Many of these girls are not rescued simply because there is no place to put them, so they are left in this Hell on earth, in which they live. Their new normal. The brief explanation of what these ladies go through is gut wrenching!
If there were no demand, there would be no need for supply! I’m sure Paul would be mortified at how rampant this has become, and how deep it’s tentacles run, even within the church. From the physical act of rape, to online porn, to the old “dirty magazines”, this is all exploitation of another human being, made in the image of God!
God’s child!
God‘s daughter!
“It is good for you not to use a woman for sex!
I mentioned yesterday this is a multi- billion dollar industry that goes from the “glamorous appearance” to the literal Hell on earth as many of these girls “are raped 50 times a day“, for the thrill and pleasure of some, and the profit of others!
What can we do?
First we need to lower the demand of this by not participating in any type of pornography!
Second, we need to pray for these girls and yes, even these men.
Third, we need to pray for ministries like this to safely house these girls and show them the other side of humanity, being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Fourth we need to pray for their rescue, and pray over those that rescue them. Fifth, we need to pray that there will be more places like this to provide a safe place to place them!
Fifth we need to nurture them back to health!
This will be a slow process.
But God!!!
Can we rescue them all?
God only knows!
Can we make a difference to all those starfish littered on the beach?
Perhaps not, but we can pick up them up one at a time and gently place them back into a safe environment, where they can thrive.
It will make a difference to them! One at a time, we can make a difference!
It begins with us men! Just say no!
This is not a victimless sin!
Let’s protect His daughters!
Mission Editor’s comment:
Your church missions committee is all in. We have voted to help spend mission money to support the Selah home. We will find ways to keep our church body informed on how to help.
Please pray for this ministry and be ready to serve when the Lord calls you!