Pure and lovely?

(featured image: Stuart Miles)

Okay…this is a subject that I need a week of thinking about and distilling and purifying before writing. But I don’t have that kind of time and it’s on my heart right now. Hopefully you’ve all seen the media reports in the last week about Christian young adults and their attitude toward purity these days. RELEVANT Magazine’s newest issue features this article—”(Almost) Everyone’s Doing it.” CNN’s Religion Blog picked it up and gave their take on it here.

These are both worth a read. Here’s what concerns me, though. How many involved in the study of young Christians are actually living, daily, with Christ in the forefront? What does seeing articles like this do for those of you who are trying to do the right things? Does it feel like the rug is being pulled from under your feet? Do you feel like no one believes you anymore? I’d love to hear from you after you’ve looked through these articles.

Purity is important. Purity of body, heart, mind and soul is meaningful. Why must we buy into a selfish worldview that says we deserve to be fulfilled? What happened to the discipline it takes to deny self? To die to self as we are called to do? Every day? There are so many reasons to keep yourselves pure. So many. Not the least of which is that it is one more way we refine our selfish motivations. Sexuality is one part of you. It’s an incredibly important part, yes. But it’s one part of a whole. And you are one part of a whole. And everything you do, every decision you make, affects every little grain of your being. And it affects the souls of other human beings in your lives. You are not an island. We are not unconnected.

Maybe the “purity code” kinds of books and talks are getting stale. I could see that. I could definitely agree with that. But please don’t let your frustrations with the WAY the message is delivered affect your attitude about the message itself.

I’m blessed to have close relationships with several college girls. Two of whom I’ve known all their lives and I’m

lucky that they are open with me. I know these girls are waiting. I know why they’re waiting. And it’s not because of a purity ring or a vow they made after reading a book. It’s because their hearts are convicted. It’s because they see the bigger picture. The one God calls them to remember. That’s why they have committed. It’s more than the “book of the moment.” It’s a decision that connects them to a dimension that we can’t fully see or comprehend.

And, this makes them pure. And this makes them lovely.

What are your thoughts?

Love,