All About That Bass?
“It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith.” – Galatians 2:20
Warning: I’m about to say something unchristian.
As the father of a 12-year-old girl (the most wonderful girl ever, by the way), I would like to wring the golden throats of Jennifer Lopez, Iggy Azalea, Nicki Minaj, Megan Trainor and half a dozen other culture-shaping divas, for teaching girls that their backside is their most important feature, physical or otherwise.
It’s bad enough when male pop stars sink to this level, and perhaps I am as naïve as a day-old pup to expect the queens of pop to serve up something better, but I’m just plain cranky about this. I’m concerned for my daughter and all daughters. Despite (or in spite of) the advances of feminism, beauty bullying, eating disorders and cosmetic surgeries are on the rise.
Some female singers, precious few to be sure, are pushing back against the tsunami of booty babble. Watch this helpful, positive song on the subject by Colbie Calliat. Really, check it out. I’ll wait right here for you.
For Christians, the good news is we are loveable and acceptable just as we are. It means we don’t have to “try so hard” to be something or someone else. It’s not a matter of thinking more of ourselves or less of ourselves as it is thinking of ourselves less and being filled with the love of Christ. That’s when we are the fairest of all.
Prayer
For the love of Christ, open my heart to what is truly beautiful today, even if it means closing my eyes.
About the AuthorMatthew Laney is the Senior Minister of Asylum Hill Congregational Church, UCC, in Hartford, Connecticut.