Disclaimer: Through our blog posts, we aim to address some of the real issues that are encompassing our communities and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to present the gospel in light of those realities. The following blog post content is rated LCC-17. If you’re a parent, you may wish to read it first before allowing your children to view. And if you’re a minor, we encourage you to get permission from your first.

A sullen and broken woman stands on the street corner offering herself as a tool meant to satisfy the perversion of men. Her shorts torn, and her midriff showing. We scorn her and label this act as prostitution. This is the life she has “chosen” and as thriving members of society we aim to do away with women like this, even if it means just pushing them to more hidden parts of the city where we can forget she exists.

But we don’t realize she’s only 15.

And the cards she’s been dealt are not ones she’s chosen for herself.

And all of a sudden “prostitute” transforms itself to the deep-seated, disgusting issue of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of a child. Behind the term lies a little girl who has parents, friends, and hopes and dreams. She would have discovered them had an exploiter not stunted her youth and called her pretty in a crucial time of her life when self-discovery should be coupled with the mentorship of a loving adult.

The exploiter says to her, “you’re beautiful and meaningful and I want you to be my girl.” And seriously what pre-teen wouldn’t fall for that? It begins as a fairy tale kind of love. He treats her to fine dining and movies, he treats her sweetly and entices her with promises of a committed relationship and long lasting love.

Till the day comes when that ultimatum exposes itself, he says to her, “If you love me you will….”

1. “have sex with other men for money”

2. “dance and strip for money”

3. “Leave your home to live with me”

4. “Be my girl”

And as a usual pre-teen or teen, they cannot distinguish the part of the relationship that became toxic. She becomes confused and hesitant at first, but if the loving man reassured her why wouldn’t she just go ahead and trust her young years of life to him? After all he’s her dream guy.

So no not all sexually exploited girls start because of drugs.

And no not all sexually exploited girls start because they grew up in bad homes.

And no not all sexually exploited girls “made the decision” to enter into “prostitution” because they needed money.

And no not all sexually exploited girls would be considered “throw always.”

“Throw aways.”- The ones who were headed in that direction anyway because poverty, location, and socio-economic disadvantages dealt them unavoidable circumstances.

Which begs the question “which child is worth saving?”

And how then should we judge a woman over 21 who says she’s been in “the life” for 8 years?

We see in scripture many examples of women living in sexual sin who God used for His glory despite their background.

Rahab, for example, is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. We can read in Joshua, chapter 2, Rahab boldly hides Joshua’s spies. Her bravery is a model of hospitality, mercy and faith. The “prostitute” of Jericho illustrates a true example of redemption as God chooses her to be in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Another example is the woman at the well in John 4. She say’s to him in verse 9, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.” Jesus also knows that this woman has a history of many husbands, and is also living with a man who she is not married to. Jesus showed that her life was valued, since He broke social barriers in talking to her about His “living water.”

The woman about to be stoned for adultery in John 8 depicts the mercy Jesus had despite her sexual sin. He could have said “Look at what this woman has done!? Why wouldn’t she get what is coming to her? She deserves it!”

But He didn’t do that. Because He loved her. Not is some conditional way the way we do now, but in the way he is begging us to Love one another through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ has a plan for everyone, including the “least of these.” Matthew 25:40

And it is not only our obligation to be the people we say we represent, but also should be locked in our hearts to love and be an advocate in our daughter’s lives. I’m not sure how Logos Community can fix the problem. But it is important Logos and the readers of this blog know there is a problem. In hopes some information on the matter would strike enough will in our hearts to further our research and eventually reach out to these girls in our community. Because we should love them. I love them. Most of all HE loves them. And in His eyes they are worth it.