Oct 31, 2006
It is an understatement to say that we live in a visual age. Each day, our eyes scan millions of images on billboards, in magazines, while surfing the internet or flipping through the eight-hundred plus television channels now available to consumers. These images subtly, or not so subtly, tell us what to think, consume, and buy. And, oftentimes they successfully convince us that our lives are incomplete without such purchases.
Honestly, how many of us have interacted with someone who believed that their life was in some way deprived because they didn’t have the latest cell phone or the new $90 pair of jeans? It sounds ridiculous, but is more common than one would imagine...especially with teenage girls.
It is safe to assume that a majority of young women face an “unsaid expectation” that they should own an Abercrombie mini-skirt, American Eagle t-shirt, and J-Crew Flip Flops at some point in their high school careers. And, it doesn’t help that secular society reinforces the idea that what you look like is of sole importance in this life. Unfortunately, this manipulative advertising promotes materialism and convinces young girls to find their identity exclusively in their clothes and other externalities.
Materialism is wreaking havoc on our youth because prides itself on objectifying and exploiting young women. Just think about the 5 minutes that you spend standing in line at the grocery store. You can turn in any direction and catch sight of a magazine touting some young covergirl. As your eye meets the beautiful model, it is safe to assume that your first thoughts are not, “I wonder if she is good student?” or “Do you think she likes to cook?”
Unfortunately, in most cases, we don’t even register the fact that this is a human person with real interests and desires. Instead, we see a bunch of body parts that oftentimes arouse feelings of jealousy or envy at her perfect wardrobe, flawless skin, or flat abs.
Those models have inherent dignity and deserve the respect owed to every person created in the image and likeness of God. Sadly, most of these women don’t even know their own priceless worth…either do many of the girls living in our own homes.
To confront this secular lie, we need to educate our daughters, sisters and friends that our bodies are very powerful tools. They not only tell us who we are as individuals, but communicate to others who we are and what we believe. Moreover, our bodies are the most obvious physical sign about our spiritual meaning and purpose as human beings.
Scripture reiterates that the body is a sacred temple of the Holy Spirit. Paul asks the Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16). We need to ask ourselves this same question.