“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:19
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
Our weekly Christian devotional
“Can we stop by the club before we go out? Monica slept over my place last night and she has my keys.” Kia tugged on my sweater like a five year old, causing me to swerve off the road a little.
“Sure.” The last thing I wanted to do was stop by the strip club on my night off, especially if I was forced to interact with Monica. My poker face wasn’t very good.
Although I never actually talked with the girl, I definitely heard plenty of things about her—and let’s just say that none of those conversations were very flattering. Today, I just wasn’t in the ‘mood’ for another jerk.
My Toyota rumbled to a stop as we pulled up to the club and approached the valet. Kia quickly bounded out of the car, air-kissing the doorman on the cheek. She motioned for me to join her in her glittery, giggly way.
“Ugh…this is going to take more than a minute.” Grumbling under my breath, I tuck my keys in my pocket.
“What’s with your attitude?” Kia playfully ribbed me while swiping on another layer of lipgloss.
“Why are you hanging out with that girl? I’ve heard too many bad things about her.” I felt bad for saying it, but not bad enough to retract my words.
“Jules, are you serious? You were always the one to remind me that I shouldn’t judge a girl by what her competitors say about her.” Kia curled back in slight shock, tucking her arms under her fur wrap.
I’m positive that early in my stripping career I would’ve said something to that effect. But after fifteen years of dancing, my view of people had become pretty curt and jaded. It would be safe to say that I definitely wasn’t following my own advice anymore.
When Kia repeated my own words, they sounded as if they came from a girl I once knew a long time ago, definitely not the ‘me’ of today.
The nightlife had chipped away at my rosy idealism; but how could it not? I had seen too much. The strip club only seemed to bring out worst in everyone I encountered there. So, naturally, I wasn’t too eager about trusting anyone from work.
When dancers gossiped a warning about another, I simply stayed away from that stripper. I guess some might say I was being lazy, but there were over two hundred dancers at my job. Life was so much easier and peaceful when I did it this way.
Of course my self-protective measures had one terrible side effect: life was getting lonely. Dancers live such a transient lifestyle; many come and go. Most of the girls I knew well and trusted had either left the business or migrated to where more money could be made.
Kia and I had finally reached the top of the stairs. We were now in the showgirl dressing room. It was bustling with puffs of baby powder and topless woman scurrying around in rhinestones and garters before roll call.
“Monica!” Kia called out over the whirling blow dryers. A cascade of long blonde hair flipped up in response.
“Hey!” Monica ran up to Kia with a warm hug. Her girlfriend’s smile was sweet and genuine.
“I’m Skylar.” I stepped forward to introduce myself.
Monica’s blue eyes widened a bit. “Oh, I’ve heard a lot about you…”
Her brutally honest response made me giggle on the spot. I welcomed having a girlfriend like that!
Fortunately, this laugh was the beginning of a million laughs the two of us shared throughout the years. And, I’m happy to report that the lovely Monica and I are still close confidants to this day.
Good friends are so rare. It’s sad when to think that we almost missed out on each other! What if either of us had actually taken heed to the untrue rumors we both heard? I’m so grateful that we gave each other a fair chance to prove who we really were.
Sadly, this incident reminds me of similar attitudes that I’ve witnessed in several of my other friends. Many of them actually recoil when I utter the name of my best friend, Jesus. It’s obvious by their response that they’ve taken heed to false rumors that they have heard about Him. It’s uncanny that most of these friends haven’t been willing to find out for themselves what Jesus is really all about!
What a tragedy. In my own life, I have witnessed Jesus’ miracle working power–several times! So, when people come to me for a resolution or a solution to their problems; the first person that always comes to my mind for help is the One who has always blessed me.
Of course as a friend, I want to share the joy and peace that only He is capable of bringing. Sadly, most people find snap judgments much simpler than actual research. This laziness is costing them, whether they know it or not. A relationship with the Almighty is the most fulfilling connection that one could possibly enjoy in this life (and the next!)
Are you judging Jesus before you’ve even had a personal encounter with Him? Don’t. There is a reason the name of Jesus conjures such a strong response whenever it is uttered—Jesus is a powerful name. Get to know the person behind that powerful name; I promise that you will never be the same…you might actually LIKE yourself!
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have heard so many people talk about Jesus. My whole life I figured that He was just a fairy tale, a myth or a prophet at best. To believe that He was the actual Son of God would take a serious leap of faith for me.
Today, I am ready to take that leap of faith. If Jesus really is your Son, and He died to atone for my sins, than I want to take that free gift of salvation.
I accept Jesus’ sacrifice. Wash me clean from my sins with the blood of your Son, Lord.
I have heard that the name of Jesus has caused miracles to happen in people’s lives. Lord, you know the miracles that I need. I’m asking for the patience and trust I need to believe that one day, I will be a testimony of your miracle working power. Increase my faith exponentially everyday until I’m ready to join you and your Son in my eternal home.
In Jesus’ name, give me the hunger to know you more. Anoint my prayer life and my Bible reading. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and lead me to the right church congregation that will grow my faith in you, not put this fire out.
In Jesus’ name, thank you for making me a child of the King, Amen.”
Thank you for reading our weekly Christian devotional on verses: John 15:19,Revelation 3:20
Please check back and see what we have for you next week!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan
