The purpose of creating a blog, as I've probably said many a time, is to convey what I think and where I stand when it comes to certain topics. I decided to do it in blog format so as not to fill Facebook feeds, and so that if people don't like it, they really don't have to look at it.
Spoiler alert: I'm going to talk about my own personal Christian viewpoints ahead. Stop now if you're prone to taking things the wrong way.
I've been "feasting", so to speak, on a couple of scriptures of late.
Firstly, 2 Timothy 2:22. "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Evil desires of youth? What does that even mean? I guess, when I read it, I take it as things that come as part of growing up that are optional extras. e.g, underage (and of age) partying/drinking/smoking/drug taking, etc., unprotected and pre-marital sex (oops, did I just drop the s word?!), swearing, gossip, hopefully you know what I'm getting at. They're things that as a society are seen as being acceptable or written off as "part of the norm". I'm going to try very hard to make it clear that I am not judging or pointing the finger at any lifestyle decisions, I'm simply trying to convey the reasoning behind my own.
When I was 14 years old, I cemented a decision that had been on my mind since I was old enough to think for myself. (I was an independent child - just ask my mum, I apparently came out of the womb giving orders, ha!) I decided that I wanted to fight for my purity, and I wanted to make this a well-rounded decision. In my speech, in my thoughts, in my actions and most importantly in sexual purity. I made a conscious decision that I wasn't going put any substance in my body that wasn't intended for it, and I wasn't going to break any laws. This meant refraining from partying and drinking, and in turn actually made it easier for me to remain pure in my sexuality too. Another factor making it a tad easier was that I wasn't popular in high school so I didn't have the temptation of going to parties every single weekend, there were still some invites and temptations that I had to overcome, but I was in a place where by 15/16 I knew so strongly what I believed that I didn't think twice on them.
You might be sitting there thinking, "good on ya mate, you did that for yourself, who cares." or you might be in the same position as me, either way, you're great. The beautiful outcome of protecting my purity in all senses of the word is that I have a whole heart, I've felt pain and suffered rejection and the like, but I know who I am, I know who I belong to and I can face each day with a confidence in myself and what I believe because of Who I believe in. It's not something I take for granted at all.
I haven't done this on my own though. My incredibly supportive parents have nurtured me and grown me in a way that has always steered me down the path of things that build up, bring happiness and grow. As a teenager I was given some leeway to do the things I wanted to do, but sometimes a firm "no" was the answer, and that was that - no matter how much I argued or got upset. That was protection. Not restriction.
Because of this, I'm working every day to continue to flee the things that are temptations and a potential thief of the purity I've fought so long to keep. I'm working at it so that I can pursue righteousness, I can truly love, I can know what it is to be at true peace, but most importantly I can have genuine faith in God and the people in my life. I'm so free because I walk in God's love. The best part? That's knowing that even if I fall short and make a mistake, God's got me covered. I love Him so dearly, and I am His child, His princess. When I stuff up, He's calling me back. He wants to know me and He wants to forgive me, no mistake is too great that it's not covered by Him. All I have to do is realise the things I do that aren't beneficial to me, or the people around me, turn from them and say "I'm sorry." I live in absolute freedom.
Secondly, Galatians 5:24, "Those who belong to Christ have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there."
I want what's best for me. So does God.
Pursuing righteousness, leaving the things of my heart at the foot of the cross provides God with the opportunity to provide me with the best of the best.
This might sound as if all I see is sin, but honestly, all I see is freedom. Leaving sin behind doesn't mean leaving all the fun behind, it actually means leaving all the brokenness and heartache and pain behind. Having said that though, the bible never ever says that drunkenness and parties and the sexual stuff isn't going to be fun, it simply makes a point to prove that when done in the wrong context and with the wrong intentions and behaviours, it won't last and it will only bring pain. Why torment your heart with an hour of fun that leaves hours of discontentment?
I'd rather just try to do what is right and live in the safety net of Christ.
I really hope this doesn't offend anyone. Sorry if it does, :)
Much love xx
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