Sin City... Hope for Redemption?

Being in Las Vegas puts me through a lot of emotions and thoughts. I think my initial response is awe at the lights and extravagance of everything. But then I remember where all this money came from, and where all this money could have gone. I think about how if people decided to give their money to poor people who are starving around the world instead of giving into the excitement and rush of thinking they just might beat the odds and win more of this little green paper thing that seems to control us, the world would be a much better place.

I can't imagine what Christ must think of Las Vegas. I know what I think though: mission field. Many people seem to feel like Las Vegas is scary because of all the sin, maybe that they will be guilty by association if they go. I almost felt a bit ashamed telling Christian friends that I was going to Las Vegas, as if going there automatically means you are going to sin, or are less of a Christian because of it. But seriously though, this is where Christians need to be. Maybe I will end up there.


It's crazy, but I don't feel more tempted to sin in Las Vegas. There were half naked girls all over the place, and I am the first guy to admit that I still struggle with lust, but for some reason rather than being tempted to lust I began to get teary eyed (and I am even now as I write) to the point of sobbing for these two women who were up on a stage right in the middle of a casino in their underwear dancing. Do they have any hope? Do they know about the Jesus who loves them and thinks they are beautiful because He made them, not because of their body type, breast size, or face? Has anyone told them that even though it might be harder financially to not do what they are doing, Jesus would protect them, care for them, and save them freely without them needing to strive for it or compromise?


Who is telling the people in Vegas this?? There are some great ministries in Vegas I am sure, and I got to hear about a couple, but man my heart was breaking for them much like it does for kids starving in Africa, India, and other places around the world. God has been so gracious to me in giving me more and more of a heart for people who are starving and thirsty physically around the world, but do I not have the same compassion for those doing the same spiritually? And shouldn't I have more compassion for them, as they are in threat of eternal death more so than just physical?


I think also I need to approach my daily life more like Vegas. Being in Sin City makes it easy for me to remember, "this is not OK... this place is not my home... it is not OK to fit in here and be like everyone else... I need to watch myself so that I'm not led into sin" and the such. It is easy for me when we stopped to see a play outside and all of the girls were half naked (and the play made absolutely no sense.... it was just to show half naked girls) to guard my eyes and look away and not lust. The same is true for money: it is easy in Vegas to remember that greed destroys your heart, and how selfish and sickening materialism is.

But why is it so hard to keep my thoughts pure when I am other places? Why doesn't my heart break as much for the women that I see daily on the street? Why am I not as sickened by materialism when I am in a place that only seems to not be as extravagent by comparison? Why do I so easily forget the mission that I am on when I am in a place more comfortable and apparently less evil than Vegas?

I want to live a life of mission focused on Christ and the Kingdom of God. Lord help me live that out here in Simi Valley.