A few weeks ago I went out for sushi and a movie with a few girlfriends. I felt anxious before accepting the invitation, but I did so anyway. I asked my husband if he cared. He said no, but it should have been a red flag that I even felt like I needed to ask his "permission". My mom asked "what are you doing tonight" and I answered, "going to dinner and a movie" trying to avoid naming the title. She asked, "oh what movie" and I responded, "you're going to judge me, but I'm going to see Magic Mike". I captioned my instagram/facebook photo "Girls Night" trying to avoid saying anything about what we were doing. I was tagged in a Magic Mike facebook post and seriously considered untagging myself because I didn't want anyone to know I was going to see that movie. The afternoon before the movie I was discussing my concerns with a friend on gchat and she said "ALYSSA, I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD GO". I didn't respond and changed the subject. I saw a quote that says, "If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it." I could not have more blatantly ignored the spirit stirring in my heart.
I haven't even considered reading Fifty Shades of Grey because of my spiritual convictions, but isn't Magic Mike, if not entirely, at least basically the same thing?
I justified it by saying Channing Tatum isn't real to me. I'll never really know him. It's light-hearted, silly and fun... right. But how would I feel if my husband went to see a movie about female strippers? I would feel hurt. Not because I am insecure, but because that would be disrespectful to me as his wife and dishonoring to Christ as his Lord. How hypocritical!
As I read this post and this follow up post, this post and this follow up post, and this post, the lump in my throat, tears in my eyes and butterflies in my stomach only confirmed what I knew along. I should not have seen that movie.
In an additional effort to fit in, I want to say this is my own personal conviction and it may be different for each of you, but in a greater effort to speak truth, I must say if you know Jesus, search your heart, because this applies to you too.
I know this single movie or book isn't the only issue, but I needed to say out loud that I saw Magic Mike because trying to hide it is trying to live in two worlds which is blatantly disobedient to Christ. More than admitting I saw it, I needed to admit that I shouldn't have.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and it's desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
- 1 John 2:15-17 -
Lord, help me. Change my heart.
As I read this post and this follow up post, this post and this follow up post, and this post, the lump in my throat, tears in my eyes and butterflies in my stomach only confirmed what I knew along. I should not have seen that movie.
In an additional effort to fit in, I want to say this is my own personal conviction and it may be different for each of you, but in a greater effort to speak truth, I must say if you know Jesus, search your heart, because this applies to you too.
I know this single movie or book isn't the only issue, but I needed to say out loud that I saw Magic Mike because trying to hide it is trying to live in two worlds which is blatantly disobedient to Christ. More than admitting I saw it, I needed to admit that I shouldn't have.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and it's desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
- 1 John 2:15-17 -
Lord, help me. Change my heart.
Proud of you Alyssa! :)
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I can only comment as a "reply" to a comment, so sorry for "replying" when I'm not actually replying to what you had to say. :/
DeleteHi Alyssa, I don't know you, but I noticed some people clicking over to my "50 Shades of Magic Mike" post, so I thought I'd stop in and read what you had to say. And even though I don't know you, I am SO proud of you, too! What you said, at the very end there? "Lord , help me. Change my heart?" He ALWAYS answers that prayer. He WILL change your heart, and he is so happy to do it. Good for you! I wish I could give you a big hug. :)
Oh, and I LOVE your bangs. :)
DeleteBeautiful post. Love you, love your heart.
ReplyDeleteGood words girl. conviction is good. forgiveness complete. Glad you shared! <3
ReplyDeleteIt takes a strong lady to admit convictions like that, Alyssa!! you are beautiful inside + out!
ReplyDeletetotally agree with you - i haven't seen it because i don't want to in general, and for the rift it would create inadvertently... even if i asked my husband - he would have said NO NO NO... i know that it would be hard to say no if it was "girls night" and i didn't want to look like the "holier than thou" friend that is looking down at my friends for going... luckily, i am pretty friendless right now (hah...) so i don't have the girls' night problem... it's a bummer to realize when you've done something that you KNOW you should not have, but the grace the comes with being a Christian woman is the ultimate remedy. thanks for sharing (i found your post on shereadstruth.com :) )
ReplyDeleteStopping by from #sheshares. I love that you are bold enough to admit where you went wrong & think as we woman that is how we learn most...from our mistakes! Thank you for being bold & sharing! I hope you have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this post! I nevered planned on reading 50 Shades, but now I know NOT to go see Magic Mike. You have blessed me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your heart. I haven't thought much about Magic Mike or 50 Shades of Grey, so reading this only affirmed my decision.
ReplyDeleteWe all need grace. Don't fret your decision to see it. The lesson learned here is what you will do different in the future. Perhaps it took you seeing that movie and feeling these thoughts to realize your convictions!
ReplyDelete{PS- thanks for stopping by my blog- I was going to respond to your comment but your email was not linked to accept return comments}.
Happy Friday!