To the Women saying “me too.”featured

Women all over the world are posting the words “Me too” on social media accounts. This movement is to give everyone a sense of the magnitude of people who have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault. Through this, women are able to see they are not alone in what they experienced. Also, that what happened to them, should not be normalized. (Especially if they are unsure what really happened to them, questioning if they did something that initiated it, lead to believe they had fault in what happened to them, or asking if their “me too” even counts.)

With every shared “me too” there was an unwanted, unasked for experience that has left as many different results as there are stories to be told. Whether in two words, the 140 characters a tweet allows, or through a more detailed blog post. As a woman reads the words of another woman there is a very real empathy for the details of a woman’s body. Women are not only saying “me too”, to the physical event that occurred. They are echoing an empathy for the raw and graphic emotional and spiritual experience. People who are victim to sexual crimes can be left feeling violated, shameful, dirty, and broken. Some have experienced trauma leaving them with deep hurts, insecurities, questions, doubts, fears, and guilt.

What does God’s word say to the women who are saying, screaming, or whispering, “ME TOO?”

This is not your identity. Shameful, dirty, violated.

You are known, pure, whole.  God knows you. Deeply.¹ And He cares for you.² He sent His son, Jesus, to live on this earth for you.³ Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost.⁴  Jesus came to heal.⁵ Jesus came to make us clean.⁶ He expresses that when we eat the food and drink the water of this world, it is inevitable that we will again feel hungry.⁷ The things of earth will only rinse or cover wounds, but in Jesus there is true healing.

Jesus was crucified and died on this earth.⁸ To be a sacrifice to cover the sin of this world.⁹ In His time on earth there were women who were drawn to Him, known by Him, and overwhelmed by His care.¹⁰ Jesus loves you, and gave himself up for you. The aim of His self-giving is for you to be purified. He sees and presents you with splendor; without spot, wrinkle, blemish, or any such thing.¹¹ In that order, His love came first. He found and loves you where you are. It is in Christ, you are made new. Your heart is sprinkled clean and your body washed with pure water.¹²

“Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace, and be healed.” Mark 5:34

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.¹³ Coming out of great tribulation, washed by the blood of the Lamb, you again wear white.¹⁴ There is now no condemnation for you. You are free.¹⁵ All unrighteousness has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.¹⁶ You have been saved by grace.¹⁷ By faith.¹⁸ Your identity is secure in Christ; nothing will be able to separate you from His love.¹⁹ No one can take that from you.²⁰ And He will never leave you.²¹

You are a brand new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come.²² In the world you have tribulation. But sister, Jesus has overcome the world.²³ We have a perfect inheritance in heaven.²⁴

Let these words from You Never Change by Austin Stone Worship sing an anthem to our wrestling hearts: “Oh may I run to, no other refuge. No other rest for my soul. Oh may I drink from, no other fountain. Where living waters will flow. Jesus you’re all I need.”

With faith, we receive this.²⁵

Recommended resources for working through shame:
Shame Interrupted by Edward T. Welch
Rid of my Disgrace by Justin and Lindsay Holcomb

1. Psalm 139
2. Psalm 8:4, Psalm 23, Matthew 10:30-31, 1 Peter 5:7
3. 1 John 4:9
4. Luke 19:10
5. Mark 1:34
6. Mark 1:40-42, Luke 17:11-19
7. John 6:35-40
8. Matthew 27:32-56
9. Romans 3:35, 1 John 2:2
10. Luke 8:43-48, John 8:3-11, John 49
11. Ephisians 5:25-27
12. Hebrews 10:22
13. 2 Corinthians 1:9
14. Revelation 7:14
15. Romans 8:1–2
16. 1 John 1:7, 9
17. Ephesians 2:8
18. Romans 5:1
19. Romans 8:39
20. John 10:29
21. Hebrews 13:5
22. 2 Corinthians 5:17
23. John 16:33
24. 1 Peter 1:4
25. Romans 4:5