Sex sells, even for Christians??

Last night I went to his lounge spot in downtown Orlando to support my brother in Christ, and his band. (Synergy) I usually don’t go anywhere downtown, because it’s usually not my scene. I felt okay; because I know the people inviting me wouldn’t invite me to something “ratchet” or to a place I’d be uncomfortable.

The place was nice, real smooth classy but relaxed. They were serving soul food, and they had two live bands playing. (Their rendition of battle of the bands, in support of Classic Weekend). Nice seating, candle lit, actually a pretty nice place for a night out with friends or a date. The band of course was great. The music they played was mostly old school stuff, with a little bit of new school, so that was cool.

This establishment is owned by a black woman, a black Christian woman. That was very inspiring to see. Nice place, good bands playing, but then I saw the waitresses/servers.....

The waitresses/servers were young black girls probably in their early to mid-twenties, which is cool, but their attire is what struck me. Here we are in this nice place, good wholesome fun, but every time I turn around I see buttcheeks. The waitresses/servers had on crop tops, and high waist booty shorts. Not just short shorts, but actual booty shorts where their booty was hanging out. This kind of caught me off guard. I know we’re downtown and this is the atmosphere, but this is a Christian owned establishment!

Now before you get in your feelings and say “Destaynee, stop judging the owner! You don’t know her story; she has to make money, blah blah blah”. We in the body love to throw around the “J” word, unfortunately we throw this word around more than the most important “J” word, which is Jesus.  Understand this is not a judgment, this is my observation!(and my blogpost lol) Christian owned business, but still using sex to sell?

I was quite disappointed to see because we as Christians don’t have to stoop to the levels of the world to become successful, or to have fun!! I was also disappointed because I don’t know the waitresses, so I can’t say if they are believers or not, but I was just thinking of the message that is being sent to them. Yes they applied for the job; yes they agreed to wear the uniforms, but to be exploiting yourself in that way shows there are self-esteem issues. To be a Christian business owner and to allow that as uniform representing your establishment is degrading to those women, and sending a message to other women that come in there.  Just disrespectful.

Now I know we are all on different journeys in our walk with Christ, some are more mature than others; some are still learning who Christ really is. One thing we can all agree on and acknowledge is that we were called, and we are to be set apart. We are in the world, but we are certainly not of it. The old folks say, “I’m just a stranger passing through”. Our citizenship is in Heaven.

(Yes I know in order to reach those that we may not be able to reach within the four walls of the church, we have to be approachable. Kind of like how Tye Tribbett is relatable to the youth of this generation, without selling out! Without exploiting himself or the members of his praise team.)

 Now this owner, doesn’t have “I’m a Christian” on the outside of her establishment, but neither do I. People can see something different about those in the body, because of the light that shines from within us. That light is Jesus Christ.

If I could write a letter to the waitress’ it would say something like this

Dear waitress,

Don’t you know you are fearfully and wonderfully made? Don’t you know you were made in God’s image? Don’t you know your father in heaven loves you more than you could possibly imagine? You don’t have to exploit yourself in such a way that’s degrading to not only yourself, your fellow sisters, but also your God. You are better than this. Your worth isn’t in your hips, your thighs and your butt, but it’s inside you. It’s the spirit that’s within you. Your confidence shouldn’t be built on how many tips or compliments you get, but in your trusting of God. To trust that he has the best for you even when we don’t know what that is. If you don’t know God, I’d be happy to introduce you to him, but first you have to hear about his amazing son Jesus Christ, which is God in the flesh. He came down to pardon us of our sins. He died a death meant for you and I, but three days later he rose, and when he rose he broke the veil, so that we may have total access to God our father, who sits high and looks low. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone; you don’t have to show your body or wear revealing clothes, all you have to do is have faith and trust that God will make a way. Trust that God will show you what true love is.Trust God for his peace that surpasses ALL understanding. Know that he is all you will ever need! Jehovah Jireh (The Lord, who provides) Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my banner) Jehovah Rapha (The Lord, who heals) Jehovah shalom (The Lord, our peace). Get to know him for yourself, and believe what HE says about you!

If I could write a letter to the owner it would say.

Dear Christian business owner (notice Christian business owner. Not owner of a Christian business. I want to stress the fact that she is NOT saying this is a Christian business, but she is a Christian that so happens to OWN a business.),

I admire you for stepping out on faith and starting up your own establishment. I love the fact that you had live music, (not sure if they do, all the time) and the music was good and wholesome. I love the fact that you gave my brother in Christ and his band a chance to show their skill in your establishment. Supporting fellow blacks on their journey to making it, that is commendable. However, I strongly believe that being a woman in control with the power that you have, should be sending a better message to you wait staff. Your establishment is far too smooth, cool, grown up and classy to have women with their behinds hanging out. I think you should strongly consider the uniform and attire of the wait staff. As a Christian woman myself, I still like to dress cute, and fashionable. Since I’m not representing myself, but Christ, I know that it is a disservice to the kingdom if I represent myself in any other way other than modest. This life is about the kingdom, not about us! Knowing that you are a Christian woman, it would be in the best interest of you if you used your platform to show these young girls, and those that frequent your establishment, that you don’t have to dress like that in order to be cute, sexy, fashionable or successful. Don’t conform to the ways of the world, have these girls dressed in a cute skirt and top, but not exposing every inch of their body. My heart broke for those girls, and it breaks for you. Something inside is having you to believe that you must do this in order to get business or to stay relevant. I guarantee if their attire changed, you’d still get the same amount of business. Let’s let our light shine, even in dark places. We don’t have to conform to the world, but the world should be conforming to us. Let’s lead by example.

Sincerely, 

a black woman, that just wants to help other black women.

If you love someone tell them

I love you

Destaynee