A dear friend offered to share her journey of choosing purity as she continues to wait on God’s plan. I hope you are encouraged by what she shares here and can find hope in her story. ~Rachel

Friends, it is with extreme vulnerability that I tell my story. I am not sharing it with you to feel self-righteous or to make myself look good. I simply want to let you know that you aren’t alone in your choice to wait.

Once upon a time

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of living out a fairy tale like the ones I saw in movies. “Once upon a time” and “happily ever after” were words that every perfect love story began and ended with, or at least that is what I thought. Even at a young age I longed to be loved by a man, to be known by a man. To be fought after, protected, and rescued by a man.

Superman became the man I desired; he was a true hero in my eyes. He was a rescuer. Oh, how I wanted to be Lois Lane and be rescued from a falling helicopter. I will always remember that deep longing in my heart.

The moment I chose to wait

At middle school summer camp, I asked the Lord to come into my heart. Though I didn’t fully understand it, something in my heart knew I needed Him for the years to come. It was also that moment I chose to stay pure for my husband. Without realizing it, that moment became the best decision of my life.

I longed to be rescued by a man instead of wanting to be rescued by Jesus. I’d long for a man to love me the way the songs on the radio described. I liked having boyfriends; they made me feel wanted and loved.

It was in high school when I first overheard a friend talking about having sex. I chose not to have sex for many reasons: ignorance, not wanting to get caught or pregnant, but also because it was a decision I was committed to. I was questioned and laughed at by my peers and my boyfriend. It was hard but I knew I made a decision I wanted to keep.

I still chose to wait

Fast forward ten years and I made it out of college pure by the world’s standards. I knew that my heart was fragile and was longing for intimacy. I pursued the wrong relationships and gave a piece of my heart away each time. I knew if I slept with them, I would lose control of my emotions and become more attached.

I was frustrated and confused why I still had not found my Prince Charming. It seemed like everyone else had and I questioned if true love existed for me. I knew I needed help. I surrendered to the Lord…again.

I chose to say no to ungodly passions and desires. (Titus 2:11-12)

I chose to believe that we are to be naked and not ashamed. (Genesis 2:25)

I chose to develop inward beauty rather than focus solely on my outward appearance. (1 Peter 3:4)

You can chose to believe the world’s view about sexual desires or you can chose the Word’s view which is shameless, pure, undaunted, and untainted. This world is rigged to distract us. We get caught up in our clothes, our bodies, our sexual desires, our boyfriends. We are easily confused Who we serve.

I chose the Lord to guide me.

I chose the Lord to pursue me.

I chose the Lord to fill my needs.

The Lord did not promise it would be easy but He did promise it would be worth it. He wants you to experience shameless, real, passionate, true love. Exactly the way sex was created for with your one and only, your Prince Charming, your Superman.

You have a choice…

You can choose to believe the world that tells you to surrender to no one

You can choose to serve yourself and do what makes you feel good

You can choose to find happiness in men, which can lead to anxiety and unfulfilled expectations

You can choose to use sexual distractions to fill the void in your heart, which can lead to shame

You can choose to believe the lie that says “test drive the car” first

You can choose to believe the world that makes us feel like there is no other way

Or

You can believe the Word that says surrender to Christ and be filled with joy

You can choose to serve, love and respect one another

You can choose to believe the Word that teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives

You can choose to guard your heart and remember that your body is a temple

You can choose real love in Christ that will fill your void greater than any human sexual desire