Day 11
“The guy you’re attracting by showing more skin is not the guy you want to marry.”
- John Piper
Dear Sofia,
When I was 19, when I could buy any dress I could afford with my hard-earned money, I started wearing sexier, more revealing clothes. I loved it! People noticed me. Most of them would comment on how good the sexy dress I was wearing fit my (skinny) physique. It made me feel confident. Showing more skin meant significance for me. People weren’t paying attention to me when I was still wearing shirts (which were two sizes bigger) or when I was wearing jeans. So, it was something new. I craved the attention. I appreciate the praises.
When I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I changed. But when I started drinking and going out with people, who love to party almost every other night, I started showing some skin again. I wanted to be sexy. I wanted to please the guy, whom I was going out with, and his friends. I felt happy getting the attention of some woman’s boyfriend in a club. Being skinny was an advantage. I could wear almost anything “sexy” and eat everything I like without worrying about the extra calories.
Then God rescued me again (I could share more about this next time for it was a long journey of running away and ruining my life) and tried to be more reserved. But I was still wearing shorts, short skirts, and the like. I had a rule that if the upper part of my body displays a big part of my dermis the lower body should be covered and vice versa. As long as I don’t offend anyone with my clothing, then I’m okay.
But my ex-boyfriend, three years ago, used to say something about my outfit (mostly when I was wearing shorts when we go somewhere). Words which were uncomfortable for me to hear. I was judged by some of the people who were close to him too. I felt ashamed and angry. I just wanted to look good. For him. It also felt good that I could wear anything that makes me feel confident and happy. I wore clothes not JUST for the approval of others, I did it for me.
Now, I often just wear white shirts and jeans or skirts matching my black and white sneakers.
WHY?
Not because of anyone. It’s because I realized:
Treasures aren’t found in common and public places. Diamonds are hidden and people need to dig the crust of the earth and risk their lives for those precious stones.
I cannot control other people’s thoughts but I have the control on how I want to present myself in public. (Not just my clothing, but the way I speak and behave matter as well)
I want to conceal the visible but expose the intrinsic.
Intelligence is the new definition of SEXY. (Working hard in this area haha)
It’s really comfortable and cheap to wear shirts, jeans, and sneakers. (seriously!)
THIS:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. . . . Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you, . . . everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:1, 4–5, 7).
Without wax,
L
