The Domino Effect.

One domino followed by another domino…

Consider how one choice in life develops another choice, follows by yet another choice, and results in a few more choices…

They say life is pattern of choices and blended in such choices is that of love. Erwin McManus even argues that "you cannot live unaffected by love. You are most alive when you find it, most devastated when you lose it, most empty when you give up on it, most inhumane when you betray it, and most passionate when you pursue it. The human story seems more driven by the insanity of love than the survival of the fittest."

Recently someone stated, "your INSANE for choosing purity."  So, then why do I choose purity?

• It isn’t just about being a virgin. Purity is about your heart, your mind, and your body. 
• It isn’t just about being a naive sixteen year old and saying, "yes to purity." Truthfully, you actually choose purity in your singleness, as you date or court or engagement, and especially in your marriage. 
• It isn’t just a one-time battle. Instead, you fight for purity each and every day. It's a lifetime battle.
• It isn’t just for a girl or a heart shaped ring symbolizing the value of purity. Guys and girls alike are required to consider what purity means and hold each other accountable to such a standard in a highly sexualized culture.  

It's a choice. 

At the time, we were both twenty and sitting on the deck glancing out at the ocean. He said, "Charlene, you need to change that..." My response, "change what?" I shrugged it off, yet years later did I actually grasp the significance of his statement. 

I needed to change my perspective of purity. He wasn't a virgin and had asked me, "could you love me if you knew I wasn't PURE?"

Today, it's a question commonly asked, "can I undo or restore my purity?" 

I believe purity is love in its fullness. Humanly, I cannot undo the past, the domino effect, of the man I one day will marry. Likewise, he cannot undo my first kiss at sixteen or even the "I love you" exchanges with my previous boyfriends. Instead, I am thankful for a Heavenly Father's love that restores the purity of my mind, heart, and body. God's love purifies my past and compels me to pursue His greatest commandment: love. As a result, "the goal of the command is love, which comes from a PURE heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5). 

When I choose purity, I am actually choosing to pursue the love of my Heavenly Father. Furthermore, I am choosing to fight for purity for those who have struggled with pornography; who have been sexually abused as a child; who have been told they would never be loved; and even those who have sought unhealthy love to fill the void in a state of brokenness or betrayal.

Purity is a choice.  A choice to fight! 

Will you join me in protecting your heart, mind, and body and fight for purity in its fullness?

Charlene