In one picture I saw a young girl, probably around 18-20 years old, extremely skinny with multiple piercings, sitting on her bed taking a 'selfie'. The room she was in was in horrible condition. There were clothes everywhere, all over the floor, the bed and on a chair. There was no bedroom furniture, no dressers or headboard, just a box spring and mattress.
In another picture I saw that she not only had one pit bull but in fact had two, both of them young and skinny too. In yet another picture I saw the girl cuddled up to her boyfriend who had a tough guy look about him. He was covered in tattoos and had his hat turned sideways. He was wearing a white undershirt and had chains around his neck and a toothpick in his mouth. And while the girl seemed to be smitten with him, he was looking away and only had his arm casually draped across her shoulders.
In the final picture I saw something that explained so much. It explained why a young girl would stay in a situation like that when she deserved so much better. There in the picture was an engagement ring. This young girl sold herself for a ring.
She reminded me of the woman who was caught in adultery. (John 8:1-11) The Bible tells us she was caught in the act of adultery. Either someone had set her up or someone caught an unguarded glance here and there and suspected what was going on and seized the moment. Either way, we know she was torn from her lover's bed and thrown in the dirt at Jesus's feet.
She was a married woman. What drove her to find a lover? She had social standing, a roof over her head, food to eat and a husband. Maybe her husband was neglectful. Maybe she was lonely. We don't know the reason for her affair. We don't know why she was willing to trade everything she had for a night with a lover, but we know she did.
When the men who caught her 'in the act' threw her at the feet of Jesus, there is no mention of her lover. Was he in on it? Didn't he care about what happened to her? According to the law of Moses, they were both to be stoned to death. Both of them, not just the woman. Jesus saw her clutching the blanket she had been able to grab from the bed to hide her nakedness. He saw her for who she was. He saw her loneliness and her fear. He knew she felt betrayed, humiliated, and beaten down. She was at her lowest. She had sold herself to the lowest bidder. She felt like she was worth nothing. A husband who wouldn't want her anymore. A lover who didn't stand beside her. A community who would always whisper her name as she passed by. Jesus saw it all.
But Jesus didn't judge her. He didn't condemn her. He took pity on her and had compassion for this broken woman. After her accusers left. He released her and told her to go and sin no more.
We live in a world where women are willing to settle for less than what the Lord would have for them. They sell themselves to the lowest bidder because they don't know their own worth. They don't think they're worth anything. They enter harmful relationships because they're afraid of being alone or the guy promises he'll change or he produces a shiny ring. They're afraid to say no. They feel caught in the downward spiral their life has become and they don't know where to turn for help.
If this is you please let me assure you that there is One who loves you. He's the same One who helped the woman who was caught in adultery. He didn't condemn her. He helped her and He can do the same for you. He loves you. John 3:16-17 says "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."
Did you read that last part? God didn't send His Son to condemn the world but to save it. God sees you where you are and He's willing to help you out of the pit you find yourself in. Reach out to Him. Romans 10:13 tells us that "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."
2 Chronicles 7:14 gives this promise from God: "if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins...". God wants to help you. He made you and He loves you. He will not condemn you but wants to save you. Won't you reach out to Him today? You are not alone. He cares.
Let me leave you with one final verse: Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." You may have sold yourself to the lowest bidder but Jesus paid the price for all the sins of the world by dying on the cross. He did that for all of us, you too. He sees you and He will help you if you call on His name. God bless.
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