I’ve been working through the book of Jeremiah, and this thought has been reigning in my mind. We are Judah. In the first several chapters, Jeremiah is feeling heart-broken and burdened for the its state of destruction and disobedience. He watches … Continue reading
I read an article the other day that broke my heart. I’m not referencing it here because I don’t write for the sake of arguing or even defending my faith. I write out of the desire to share truth in a world blinded by so many lies.
This article talked about the issues that happened to a woman who waited until marriage to have sex. She stayed a virgin and when things didn’t pan out as she had hoped after her wedding day, she blamed it on the church and regretted her decision to wait until marriage. First off, I would like to say that a decision to wait until marriage to have sex should not only be a personal decision, but it also is not designed by the church, it is designed by God. Secondly, being a virgin should not be our identity, but being a child of Christ should be. It truly made me sad that this woman was not only raised in a church that put her viriginity on a pedestal and let it define who she was, but that she connected that part of her life with the church and not Christ.
I have nothing to back up my ideas other than faith and my belief in the Bible. I also know that writing something on this topic is opening myself up to many negative responses, and I’m okay with that.
I was raised in the church, and although sex and waiting has been encouraged and talked about, it was never created as an idol. In a society where sex is the norm, staying pure until marriage is rare. It’s even becoming acceptable in the church.
It breaks my heart to see that women, even girls, are not able to find love and affection in any other way. They too easily give of themselves, without understanding just how much they are actually giving.
Staying pure goes beyond sex, it includes emotions as well. Although I’m still a virgin, I am the first to admit that I have given of my emotions and heart too freely. The Bible says we should protect our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), but we all have a God-shaped hole in our heart and we will try to fill it with anything that comes our way.
I hate that the enemy has gotten such a strong grip on our generation. He has gotten us to believe that if we just give of ourselves, we will be satisfied. What is so unfortunate, is that it never fills the hole in our hearts.
I’m 21, single and have never really been in a relationship. I’m the Moses of this generation, because I don’t have much experience in this department, so maybe I have it all wrong. But I also know that as a young person, I’m able to and should be an example (1Timothy 4:12). If we as Christians are not living as the Bible calls us to, then what makes us any different than the world?
You see, abstaining from sex until marriage is not an identity, and it shouldn’t even be tied to the church. If you’re remaining a virgin for the sake of praise from others, then you’ve got it completely wrong. As I’ve said on so many other topics, it always comes back to the heart.
God created you sacred, pure and you are His child, His artwork. Forget all the tactics that are used to push people towards abstinence, and simply bask in the fact that you are a masterpiece. Would you take the Mona Lisa to the beach and set it in the sand? Would you take a Van Gogh piece and lay it on your lap while eating spaghetti?
Then why would you take a masterpiece God created, which is invaluable, and give it away so freely?
Sex is prevalent in our culture. You can hardly turn on a show or movie without it being referenced or included. The biggest struggle is to understand that it was created as something sacred. Sex is a sin (1 Corinthians 6:18, Hebrews 13:10, Matthew 15:19). There are no ‘if’s or ‘but’s about it.
It’s sad that this woman had a bad experience, but I think it’s worse that this is publicly displayed. I can’t even imagine the many lies that are filling the heads of young women everywhere who happen upon this article. They instantly question their decisions, or believe that sex is not sacred or giving of self.
My prayer is that Jesus would prevail in this generation. That sex before marriage would no longer be the norm. That women and girls would see themselves as beautiful and precious treasures to be discovered, not a toy to be used and left behind.
There are so many blurred lines in our culture, and the difference between a God-fearing woman, and non-Christian woman is becoming far to small. We should be honoring our bodies as the masterpieces God created them to be. We should be waiting for the man that desires to protect us as if we are precious treasures. We should be desiring more than what the world has to offer, because we have a God who can offer so much more. He will fill the hole in your heart, and He is the only thing that can.
Have a blessed day!
-Sadie
You probably know his story. It’s taught repeatedly. Lately, I’ve been digging into the story and God has been revealing many new things. I believe this story provides more than the idea of being grateful for God giving and taking away. In this post and the next to come, I’m going to dive into these scriptures and see what I learn along the way. Hopefully, you’ll join me!
Note: I’m not an expert theologian nor am I a Bible scholar, but I do love the Lord and want to share what I am learning. Please, take what you read with a grain of salt and by all means, ask questions!
Job goes through testing. He has everything stripped from his life and still chooses to trust and praise God (Job 1:21, 13:15 ). That’s the part of the story we most often hear and learn about.
So, put yourself there. Imagine having every single, precious and important thing in your life stripped away. Imagine choosing to praise God, regardless of your circumstances. Then imagine your body deteriorating on top of all that’s already been lost. Can you imagine the emotional state you would be in? Can you imagine how drained you would feel? I think at that point, all I could do is sit and cry. I’m not sure I would have the ability to utter a single word.
Enter Elihu (stage left).
We all have that friend that cheers us on. Regardless of our response, they are always on the sidelines ready to give an insightful word or encouraging praise. Take all of the insight and encouragement you’ve received in your life and throw it all into a pile and you have the core of who Elihu was. Chapters 32-37 of Job are his starring moments and boy do they shine! Please take a moment read through them!
Here we have this young man, one that doesn’t even feel capable of what he’s about to do. I can actually imagine this Elihu character light up as he begins speaking and then continues…and continues…and continues. Talk about discovering your passion!
He spends six chapters challenging Job. He spends six chapters expressing the power and mercy of our incredible Savior! He spends six chapters speaking Truth. All at once he is inspiring us to step further into faith, empowering us to push more into Christ and challenging us to look at our own faults and weaknesses.
My favorite part is that he begins his speech by expressing that he is young and therefore probably not wise enough to say what he’s about to. In the beginning you can feel the uncertainty in his words, but as he continues, you can feel his confidence rise and the power in his words! That right there, is God at work in someones life!
Let this be a lesson to us that in times of doubt and insecurity, we can still make a positive impact. When we’re feeling down and out, there is someone else we can be cheering on. And just because we are young, does not mean we are less capable or worthy of God’s calling.
As 1 Timothy 4:12 says, we still have the ability to set standards and be examples for those around us as young people. We should be doing that in everything, especially our words and relationships. Speak up when you feel God moving; let God use you to ignite fires and challenge others! Don’t hold back because of a lie that the enemy has planted in you! God is so much bigger than your biggest insecurity or weakness.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you would fill me with your Truth. That I would press into You and your heart more in each moment. Use me to reach others, in any capacity. Use my words to spark and not dull flames. May my words be evident of Your work in me. I want to be cheering people on, not discouraging them. If there is a weakness in me that hinders me from speaking Truth, I ask that you reveal that in me and teach me to overcome it. I want more of you, Jesus, forever and always. In your glorious name I pray, Amen.
Have a blessed day!
-Sadie
The other morning I was taking my brother and his best friend to a bus stop in Cleveland. It was early and my brain hadn’t started working to its full ability. My brother and I were having random conversation when he asks if there were any updates on boys. I said no and he responded with a saddened, “awe..” to which I retorted, “why?” He then realized how quickly people apologize or are sad for you when they find out you are still single.
Why do we do this? I know I’ve done it, and I definitely know I’ve heard it. Why can’t we instead rejoice for all the amazing things God may be doing in a single person’s life?
This is something that has always bothered me.
I’m not sure I can count on my hands how many times I’ve heard, “I’m sorry you’re still single” and “You’re so young..you have time” within a single breathe! The problem I have with this is that, for the most part, I’m content with being single. I’ve been single my entire life, and I kinda like it. I like the freedoms that come with it. I like that I’m able to use this time to learn spiritual disciplines and step further into faith. (And I love that I don’t have to buy gifts for an extra someone on holidays!)
I’m not going to list all the great things about being single, because there are already plenty of resources out there. I also recognize the many great things about being in a relationship. And don’t get me wrong, I want those too! Whenever the time is right, I’m very much so looking forward to being in a relationship with a man, having God as the foundation.
So please, don’t treat single people like they should be in a rush to find someone and settle down. There are too many people out there who have settled for less already. Don’t tell us that we’re young and have lots of time; some of us have wanted marriage for years and there is nothing wrong with that.
Being single is not a disease and it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with us.
Quit telling us that it’s okay to be single and that we should also be getting married within one conversation. Instead, try asking us what God is doing in our lives. Ask about where we’re serving and how we’re furthering the Kingdom. Strive to know our hearts, not our relationship status’.
When I’m no longer single, I’m sure you’ll here about it. When the right person comes along, I’m sure you’ll hear about it. When I get a ring on my finger, I’m sure you’ll hear about it. The same goes for the many other singles my age.
God is doing so much more in my life than giving me a love life worth talking about. God has called me to so much more than to sit and wallow in my singleness; He has given me (and each of you) the greatest call we could ever respond to! So join me in going into the world and making disciples! And help us singles out by asking how God is moving, rather than who we have our eye on.
Have a blessed day!
-Sadie
Journey of Sadie Grace 