“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God so sent His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:16-21
Today’s daily devotional
The room is bustling with the business that a typical Saturday night brings. I touch my garter and feel my heart settle into a good place .The stack of cash succeeded my goal for the night. What an inspiration for me to keep up my momentum!
As I head toward the bathroom to freshen up my lipstick, a man tucked in the corner sticks out his hand out to stop me. He looked familiar, so I naturally assumed that I must have danced for him before. There was such an endless array of men and nights–for me to come to any other conclusion would have been far fetched.
“I have been watching you. Dance for me. But, let’s stay in this quiet pocket.” He thrusts a hundred dollar bill into my garter and my scattered attention quickly focuses on him.
The place where he is sitting is cramped and uncomfortable. Although he is casually dressed, I notice his wrist is flaunting an impressive (and authentic) Rolex watch. The money clip he flippantly held was Cartier. I may have not been born into money, but I was bred with a taste for it. I knew who had it and who didn’t. A good dancer can always sense the rich customers as well as the desperate ones; Baseball cap or not.
“Why don’t we go upstairs where it is a bit more comfortable and quiet?” He shakes his head no, and I can see by the look in his eyes that he is undressing me already. I am perplexed as to why he does not want to be treated like a VIP. He certainly tipped like one. I glance at the patrons scattered around us, hoping he would get the message.
“No. Here is just fine.” He tucks his cap further down his brow and beckons me to come closer by flipping another hundred out.
“Whatever floats your boat.” I smoothly slip the cash in my garter before he has a chance to change his mind.
“So, what’s your name?” My forced conversation has less to do with my actual interest and more to do with my greedy garter. In my head, I was already spending the money that was in that Cartier clip of his.
He smiles as if to acknowledge my question and in a low voice says, “Let’s not talk.” My heart drops. Talking was my expertise. It was always my most successful tactic of distracting men from attempting to touch me.
I looked into his dark eyes, desperate for him to see me as a human. By his cold words and leering expression, I could tell that was his last intention. I felt the strange compulsion to stay as my eyes scanned the showroom. Who in their right mind would leave this good paying customer for the loud group of drunks? They were thrusting dollars at the stage like he was thrusting his hundreds at me. But, I could see this man wanted more than I was willing to give.
Our eyes locked for a second, and in that moment I recognized him. He was a famous actor that had been in countless of films I had enjoyed over the years. That brief moment of recognition was just what he was hoping to avoid. He puffed a disgusted sigh and got up quickly. And, before I knew it, he slipped out of the showroom.
People love to hide when they know they are up to no good. I was a perfect example of this. When someone would ask what I did for a living, I lied under the cover of a “bartender” or “waitress”; fearful of the judgments that came along with the branding of being an exotic dancer. John 3:16-23 speaks of darkness as a place of hiding and comfort for those who know their actions are not worthy of being seen or spoken of in the light.
The light will expose the truth. And although the truth may set them free, many of these prisoners don’t actually WANT to be set free. Are you in the dark because you are afraid of the light? Who can save you when you cannot be found?
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I admit that I have been drawn to the darkness because it made me feel much better about the things I have been doing. I want to stop my habits and my ways and I want to get real, honest and truthful with you.
Lord, there are many things that are wrong in this world, and covering up the wrongs and pretending that they are right are never going to bring about the change that will make my life a success.
Give me the strength to say no to what I have been so accustomed to telling myself is okay. If it is not okay with you, it is not okay.
Today, I ask for the mind of Christ. I want to be honest with myself and with you, God. In Jesus’ precious name, I believe by the help of God and God alone, I can be the kind of person who will not run and hide anymore. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s daily devotional.
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan