Harlots, Heretics and Hussies

Gypsys, tramps and thieves
we'd hear it from the people of the town
they'd call us gypsys, tramps and thieves
but every night all the men would come around
and lay their money down.
-Cher

There is rampant depression and worthlessness among Christian women. I know some people reading this will differ with that perception, but I was an intercessor, women confided in me. They secretly shared this longing for freedom with me. The phrase often was "I just don't feel good about myself". Well, why the hell not? Every women's bible study, ministry event and leader only told us that in order to be Godly women we must have an immaculate home, well-behaved children, a fit body, a sexually gratified husband, classy taste in clothes, be a gracious hostess, and serve the church willingly; all the while having at least an hour per day of "quiet time with the Lord". What's not to feel good about?

Maybe the effort to conform to the idealistic image of the Better Christian Woman robs women of their ability to feel good? Maybe if women could be free to be the women they are and not the women they are scolded, shamed and shushed into being, this depression would lift?

I know it did for me; without a doubt. The most interesting thing to me is, as I ventured into this freedom outside the pressure-cooker, some of these same women who admittedly longed for freedom struggled to accept that I was actually experiencing it. When a woman finds true freedom, suddenly she is almost seen as a harlot, prostituting herself out to the secular world. I see a discrepancy between what is in the heart and what is in the mouth; while desperately seeking freedom, they also speak evil towards the free. Why?

Christians fear freedom because they don't know where it leads. I have found evidence of the same thing somewhere in the Old Testament, where slavery is desired over freedom, because at least slavery is predictable, with regular (if insufficient) meals and permanent (if inadequate) housing. Because the journey to freedom is treacherous and ongoing, with a host of hazards and temptations, it is seen as somehow undesirable. Yet, where did God really want them to be?

In the song by Cher, the men of the town took advantage of the fruits of the gypsys freedoms, all the while labeling them something evil and wretched. I intend to draw no literal comparison there, but a metaphorical one; how many Christians long to experience the freedoms of the secular world, even as they curse those same things?

Freedom and it's fruits are lusted after by the oppressed; this same freedom is often fearfully criticized by the oppressed, and evidencing a hypocrisy. Those who peddle righteousness covet the freedoms enjoyed by the unrighteous. Yet people who truly walk in Christ's freedom, where all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial, are considered to be heretics. We are perceived as biblically deviant and immoral, hustling some snake-oil freedom which has to have a catch or at least an unpleasant side effect; as if it is not what we claim it is.

Freedom really is what it seems to be. Christ does exist outside the walls of the Better Christian Woman world. I have a greater, more powerful, more intimate, more loving relationship with Jesus than I ever did when I was constantly beating myself over the head with unrealistic expectations.

There is nothing to fear in freedom, as long as we take Christ there with us. Sometimes I think people fear that Jesus can't go there with them. I promise, He is able to breathe even in the real world. He will never allow us out of His reach, so stretch and be yourself. You will be so much happier for it.

Yet, is there something you fear losing in your freedom? And what about sin? Stay tuned.

Pt 1: Chili All Over the Kitchen
Pt 2: Harlots, Heretics and Hussies
Pt 3: Liars and the Men who Love Them
pt 4: A Narrow Path, a Crooked Line, Fly