Denim Day

Not a long post today. More of a reminder. Today is Denim Day. In Italy, some time in the 1990s, a young woman was assaulted -- raped -- by her driving instructor. He was arrested, convicted, and jailed... until he appealed the sentence. His guilty verdict was overturned because, according to the judge, the victim's jeans were too tight for this "man" to remove on his own. Ergo, she must have helped. Ergo, it's no longer assault. This frankly idiotic move by the Court was immediately protested by the women of Parliament, who responded by wearing jeans to work.

Denim Day grew out of that small movement as a reminder that unwanted sexual contact -- whether completely forced, or induced by drugs or alcohol, or accomplished through fear and intimidation -- is rape.

Christ reminds us to love as He has loved. As a man, I am admonished to love my wife with a servant's heart -- just as Jesus loves His bride, the church. I am commanded to love my neighbor -- which includes men and women alike.

But also, God offers hope. For women who are victims of assault, Our Savior is not in the business of shame. Whether you think it's your fault, or however broken you may be, we have a Messiah who is in the business of healing.