When my article “Don’t Let Fifty Shades of Grey Lead Your Daughter Astray” premiered on movieguide.org Jan. 21, my hope was that even if I could change one woman’s mind and help them choose to see themselves as God sees them, then my work would be a success. However, an email I received helped me to understand the full impact my words can have on others. The first line of the email stated, “I want to commend you for standing up for girls of every age and even for the women who are not understanding the detriment the book could have on their current or future relationships.”
In the days that followed, other emails came from women who had daughters just like me who were inspired to speak openly with them and make more informed choices as a result. As I responded to each one, I realized something:
Our words have power, and with the right amount of momentum, they can translate into action.
Individually, we may not be able to stop movies like Fifty Shades of Grey from showing on the silver screen. But if we link arm in arm and come together for this cause, we can show the world a glimpse of the redemptive God we serve.
Here are four things you can do in response to the Fifty Shades of Grey movie:
Give: If you have a daughter, give to organizations that work tirelessly to release women from the bondage of abuse. If each person that reads this article gives just $5 to an organization like Preventing Abuse, we can raise enough money to provide resources to women who may have nowhere to turn. If you don’t have a daughter, give in honor of your mother, sister, granddaughter or any other female that has impacted your life in a positive way. For every dollar you donate, you are providing the resources to organizations, who provide a voice for hurting women who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Pray: Commit to praying 10 minutes for five days this week (that’s 50 minutes total) for all the women (or men) who will be affected by this movie. Pray for all the women who will be victimized by the irrefutable message of this movie that abuse is acceptable. Pray for the women who have never experienced the unconditional love of God that they will choose to love themselves the way He loves them. Pray for their future children, that those same women will teach their children that unconditional love.
Share: The more people we reach with this message, the more momentum we gain to reaching the world. If you want to be a part of this campaign, please take a moment to share this article with your friends and family on your social media platforms. A click of a button now may result in changing someone’s life later.
Support: You can also support movieguide.org, which is fighting against awful movies like Fifty Shades of Grey by promoting inspiring family-friendly and faith-based movies and television programs—entertainment that uplifts all people, including women and children.
I’m using my words to take a stand for my daughter. Will you unite with me so that together we may show women everywhere that they are loved, that they matter, that they are enough?
Michelle S. Lazurek is a pastor’s wife, Bible teacher, mother, author and speaker. She gives discipleship tips on her blog (discipleshiptoolbox.wordpress.com). She is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and has written articles on discipleship for places such as Charisma Magazine, Soli Gloria Deo Sisterhood, and womensministry.net. For more information, please visit her website at michellelazurek.com, find her on Facebook at Michelle S. Lazurek or follow her on Twitter @mslazurek.
This article originally appeared on movieguide.org. Want to know what God’s doing in Hollywood?
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