Last week the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards created an uproar following the performance of Miley Cyrus punctuated by twerking. In case you missed it, or you want to refresh your recollection take a look at the abridged version of the segment featuring Ms. Cyrus Her exhibition of sexual innuendo and explicitness was received with differing reactions. While the twenty year-old is not the first, and certainly will not be the last to exhibit such enthusiastic examples of dancing “to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance.” As defined by Britian’s Oxford Dictionaries where the term twerk has been added as a verb during part of the quarterly updates.

The controversy over her performance basically is either pro twerk or anti twerk. This type of dancing is not new, however it may be the first time that it was displayed with such a charged, impact. The MTV generation is probably lest vocal about any negative effects related to twerking. Many have been influenced from birth by the world of reality television and music videos. As these types of references to sex continue to be portrayed as the reality of life it has invaded ideas about what is appropriate on screen.

Given our current social climate of just about anything goes as long as those involved are consenting, what does it matter anyway? We all know about the “birds and the bees”, right? We all know that at a certain age bodies mature and things happen. Since everyone is doing it what’s the harm? Parents need to have discussions with their teens about exploring their bodies and their feelings, right? When the information is on television it comes into the home, that way the kids get a change to view it and dialogue with parents, right? Anyway once the kids have had the “sex talk” they are just learning how the world works, right? And if they haven’t had the talk yet doesn’t the fact that they have so much real information cause them to make better choices?

Well let’s explore that idea; the more information the better. I will not share the statistics of: teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted disease, sex trafficking, or children being raised without the benefit of both parents in a stable home. Just think about your family, members of your extended family, friends or acquaintances being impacted by these issues. Sometimes when we hear numbers we think, “Those poor people, why don’t they know better?” “How could they let that happen?” or even “What’s wrong with them, they deserve what happens, how could they be so stupid?”

Have you ever shared that sentiment? Has anyone made those comments about you or someone you love? We must recognize more information void of critical thinking is not better.

When we begin to examine ourselves we are better able to see that in this flesh, this human condition we share the ability to make choices. (See www.mapsandlanterns.org “Better than Botox injections!”)  We sometimes forget that we are flawed, broken, infallible, and imperfect. Therefore many of those choices are incredible and ill-advised. As we get older we sometimes forget the errors of our youth. We find truth in statements like, “Youth is wasted on the young.” On the other hand sayings like, “There’s no fool like an old fool.” contain much truth too.

One of the most important things we can do is look at our past mistakes, look for the lesson that is there, and create something useful out of the calamity. We engage wisdom when we are able to look at the lessons others have learned and gain knowledge without repeating those same negative outcomes, by choice. However, the reasoning centers of the brain are the last areas that form. The area of the brain which helps us to make sound decisions is still developing in our mid-twenties, for some this happens much later. The exterior may look complete but there is still more firing of the clay required.

Our hormones related to puberty kick in around the teens, for me it was well before I reached thirteen. Our brains still grope for the right questions and answer as we have innumerable images of gyrating bodies, pressing parts together in ways that feel good on the dance floor and have more lasting negative consequences in the overall big picture. Seems like fun, it seems right. (See Proverbs 16:25 and www.mapsandlanterns.org “A Doer”)

Most family, neighbors and other adults with whom these young minds associate are not spreading a consistent, loving example of how to sort it all out using critical thinking. The music, videos, television and social media are prolific with images of reckless, immoral behavior. What is going to take root for most of our youth? Not to mention millions of older adults who are applying those same models of reality to their lives. In this setting enters Ms. Cyrus, a beautiful, intelligent, young woman looking for answers in a fast-paced world where abundant self-indulgent sex appears to be the ticket to a joyful life. She is working out some of her youthful follies in the spotlight.

In the flesh pleasure-seeking is the primary barometer of behavior. Yet God made these bodies. He knows what desire we have for sex. He made us. He has established His standard of how we are to engage those bodies in ways that illustrate our love for Him, ourselves and our neighbors. (See www.mapsandlanterns.org “MAC VS. PC”)

When we use wisdom we save ourselves negative outcomes. When we examine ourselves we learn from our mistakes. When we help others to find their way by using His established law of love, we love them and create an environment where the little Mileys (no matter what their names or gender) are more likely to land in a place where they are lovingly guided into outcomes that reflect God’s perfect love.

To twerk or not to twerk? Before you decide for yourself or others who may seek your opinion please look at the following video Twerking Information

Take Inventory and Take Action!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”