“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9
Our weekly Christian devotional
“Would you like a dance?” Beady eyes skim my breasts. The customer glances at his watch and then at his freshly poured glass of whiskey.
“Not yet, doll.” Dismissing me with a slight nod of his balding head, he stares right past me—watching with intensity as the stripper on stage finishes up her show.
From his low-level seating, the stage performance carries no economic pressure.
“Not yet? I can accept that. But…I’ll…be bahhhck.” Giving my best Arnold impersonation, I giggle; hiding the fact that this was my personal threat more than an empty promise.
You could bet on the fact that I would be back…again…and again until every last dollar in that stingy little wallet evaporated as quickly as his liquor. Besides, where else did I have to go? I was trapped in this God-forsaken hole until four a.m.
My eyes skim the corners of the room. Groups of dancers huddle together, clutching their smokeless cigarettes, gossiping between themselves.
One thing I learned in this seedy little school of hard nocks, was that a patient stripper can usually make her buck.
A faint laugh erupts from the back. One of the leggy girls chides me in Polish as I turn from the balding customer. She sees my current rejection as her future victory.
But, I refuse to sink with her cynicism and simply smile to myself. Lazy strippers never got the last laugh; they only got fat.
I recall those stripping years as if they were yesterday. It didn’t take long for me to learn how to charm a guy out of making good choices. Strutting those liquor-soaked carpets of the strip club, I felt like I was born to be a hustler. Batting my fake eyelashes, I was good at making men forget about their wives and responsiblities at home.
From the moment I felt my garter sink down my leg from that thick wad of cash, I was addicted. It wasn’t long before I chucked my fading morality along with my A- cup bra. Honestly, who needed either of those silly things in a place like this?
It’s sad to admit that my affections didn’t run deep. All it took to ‘hook’ me into my soul-less means for survival was a Louis Vuitton wallet, or a smokin’ pair of heels.
It wasn’t as if someone forced me into this business, I walked in with such a strong desire for fame, glamour and fortune…that I became a simple slave to my own greed. And, my heart paid the price. It got icier by the year.
Of course, I always swore to myself that eventually I would find a decent job. That was, until the paint of my manicure began to chip… And boy, that fresh coat of lacquer from my weekly trip to the nail salon was intoxicating to say the least…
Hence, I’d lock up my cold heart again and gloss up my million dollar smile. But, the hard life started to take it’s toll. I lost the kind of smile my mother would recognize. The one that was real.
In the quiet din of my computer room, I read those last few paragraphs out loud. Ugh. I’m disgusted. Why am I sharing such personal atrocities? Wouldn’t it be better to just keep this ugly part of my jaded history all to myself? Not really. I think that if we truly care about others, we embolden ourselves to put our vanities aside. Exposing our darkness and warning others allows them the opportunity to grow and learn from our mistakes. And hopefully, eventually…they, too will find THE LIGHT.
In Galatians 6:7-9 we are reminded that what we sow, we will reap. Looking back, I see that I persistently sowed greediness, vanity and lust into my life. All of these left a gaping hole in my soul that screamed for more. But, that illusive ‘more’ could never be found.
Alas! I did discover a redeeming part to all of this— I recognized that if I were to take that same determined attitude and use it for God’s glory and kingdom, I could also be successful. Of course, this time my success would look different, because it would actually be on God’s terms.
Could I be as dedicated in my search to connect with God as I was in my search to make money? Today, my flesh is actually willing. But, I’m still weak and I definitely need to keep praying this prayer on a daily basis:
“Dear Heavenly Father,
There are countless tempting riches in this life. I’ve enjoyed many of them. But, I have also tasted a bit of your presence, and you are more than good. Lord, you are far better than any trinket this world has to offer.
Thank you for giving me the strength up until this point to turn away from the things that used to comfort me in the past. Nothing comes close to the joy that comes from an intimate fellowship with YOU.
Lord, lately I feel the heavy pull of the world again. My favorite sins of greed and lust are creeping back like a fast growing mold. Forgive me for being so week. I need you to be my strength. Help me to keep my eyes focused on you.
There are so many needs I have that I’m still waiting on you to answer for me; Lord, I need encouragement. Please give me a boost in my hope. Answer some of my little prayers. I know that this will build my faith until you are ready to answer the big ones.
Give me the dog-eat-dog determination I had when I first gave my life, soul and heart to you. Renew my love, refresh my spirit and anoint my heart to only beat for what makes you tick.
People keep hurting me. Help me to love as Jesus instructed. It is so much easier to just go back to loving myself. Help me to love the un-loveable; I know I can be one of them.
Protect me from the relationships that will attempt to pull me off your path, Lord. Keep me strong and determined to stay on. At the end of the day, it is always my choice. So, Lord, as a little child, I ask that you please help me to chose wisely.
In Jesus’ precious name, bless me Lord. For I am weak, strengthen me today. Amen.”
Thank you for reading our weekly Christian devotional on verses: Galatians 6:7-9
Please check back and see what we have for you next week!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan