I recently spent a week counseling at the best church camp ever. I had the privilege of being in a cabin with a brand new counselor and thirteen seventh grade girls. It was the best week of my year. Each day, we did a lesson with only our cabin to allow for deeper discussion on topics they will face or are already facing as teenagers in America. One of my topics for this time was sexual purity.
If you have read the New Testament, you know God is quite clear about remaining sexually pure outside of marriage. Thus, the movement for young people to want to wear purity rings before marriage and the saying "I'm waiting for marriage."
The most typical time to hear this would be during a conversation about sex and whether a person is or is not a virgin. If a teenager or young adult responds with this line, s/he will most likely be met with one of two responses. One being "wow, that's so awesome" the other being "what?! That is crazy!"
As a young adult, I have found myself using this line many times. However, this week during our sexual purity discussion when I used that line, I was met with the question "what if I never get married?" Good question sweet twelve year old. Thank you for making me realize the error in my thought process.
What if I don't get married? There is nothing saying I have to marry. In fact, Paul urges us not to marry so we can be more diligent in our work for the Lord. Records indicate he never married, Christ never married, and I am not guaranteed a marriage either. If I am waiting for marriage, only to never marry, my waiting is in vain. I am not waiting for marriage. I am choosing to remain pure, because I love God and that is one of His commandments. I am remaining pure, because I plan to be with Him for eternity whether I marry on Earth or not. Thankfully, this realization hit me almost as instantly as her question, and I was able to convey this to her without delay.
We are not guaranteed a spouse. We are not required to take a spouse. I know men and women that have chosen to remain unmarried, and their work for the Lord is beautiful. They are not waiting for marriage. They are waiting on Jesus to return.
Sometimes it takes the innocence of a child to realize I need to change my way of thinking. Because of her one, simple question, I am no longer waiting for marriage. I am waiting on the Lord to return and obeying His commandments in the mean time.
Sincerely,
Miss
