It's happened every year since Cheryl Tiegs came walking toward me in her see through fishnet bathing suit while I was sitting in Mr. Moody's World History class in ninth grade. The annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition once again found its way into my hands. This time it was Kate Upton in the Antarctic. Talk about an oxymoron - Bathing suits and the Antarctic. When I think of visiting Antarctica I think of down jackets, heavy duty gloves and boots and lots of wind in subzero temps. Bathing suits and the South Pole - does not sound like a good combination.
My iWitness...
It first started with Cheryl Tiegs. The very fact that I can remember most of their names from memory scares me even more... Cheryl Tiegs, Carol Alt, Christie Brinkley, Elle MacPherson, Rahcel Hunter, Kathy Ireland, Cindi Crawford, Anne V, Brooklyn Decker, Bar Refaeli, Irina Shayk, Cintia Decker, Kate Upton and the list goes on and on...
Sports Illustrated used to have about 12 pages dedicated to the Annual Swimsuit edition. Today the whole issue is dedicated to the scantily clad models in bikinis, mono-kinis and no-kinis.
Knowing the model's names somehow makes the models less objective and more personal. At least that is how my mind justifies staring at their bodies. But what happens over time, over and over again is that these beautiful women just become objects. Objects of fantasy, distraction and delusion. There's really no need for the women to be wearing swimsuits. I have already undressed them in my mind a hundred times before I even turn the page. The road my mind ultimately goes down is never a good one.
And so, once again, the second week of February becomes a struggle with the Swimsuit Edition. There have been years when I have thrown away the issue as soon as it arrives in the mail. There have been years where I didn't subscribe. But here's the reality - I've seen every issue cover to cover.
What's more is that you can go online and see hundreds more pictures of the same models. It really is amazing and scary what you can find in the way of images, photos and pictures on the internet with two or three simple key strokes.
How do the young people, the middle aged people and the elderly deal with such easy access?
There you have it... confession. Confession of the soul. Confession of a man who's tired of struggling. Confession of a man who loves and appreciates the beauty that God has created in the human body. Confession of a man who puts his hope in the forgiving, loving mercy of the God who is not done with me yet.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5. 16)
I will pray for you. Will you pray for me? - so that we may both be healed!
May you know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that which you struggle with, that which you succumb to, that which you find yourself in a losing battle - Nothing will ever separate you from the love and grace God has for you... Nothing!
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
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