Before I start, I wanted to explain that this little essay was written for a high school in Costa Rica. I was asked to talk to the students about the virtue purity. I considered the time a success and thought maybe others could get something out of it as well. Let's begin.
So, today I am here to talk to you
all about purity and my walk with this virtue.
Let me start by telling you a little about my story. I
decided to stay pure at a pretty young age. I was 13 years old when I decided
and made a commitment to not have sex until marriage. Now, this was a huge
promise to make for a 13 year old, but I could not be dissuaded. The idea of
being pure was brought to my attention by a friend of mine. It was the first
day of school in 7th grade when I noticed she was wearing a really
pretty ring. Naturally, I wanted to know the story behind said ring. She
explained to me that it was her mom’s engagement ring and that she used it as a
promise or purity ring. She explained that she wanted to save herself for
marriage, so she made a promise to God. She did not brag or show off, she
simply set an example that I decided to follow.
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don't let anyone look down on you
because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in
conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
How do you set an example? My ring is a private statement of
purity and strength for me personally. For you, it could be something entirely
different or nothing at all. It is not flashy or loud. You might be able to see
here that it is a ring with a heart, a cross made from a sword in the middle, a
crown on top and the words “love”, “beauty” and “purity” written around the
band. It is simple and meant just for me. It is not perfect. It has been
scratched, dented and worn down.
My example is similar. I don’t go around telling people that
they are bound for hell or that they will become teen moms and screw up their
entire lives if they decide to have sex before marriage. First of all, this is
not true. Second of all, it is not my place to tell anyone how to live their
life or condemn them for choosing a different lifestyle or stance than me. My sole
purpose is it set an example. There is a phrase I like that says, “Where words
fail, actions speak”. Another quote I feel exemplifies this is, “Action before words”. That is exactly how we should set our example.
What does purity mean to me? Well, purity is a promise to
God to give him complete control of my life for a higher purpose. Purity is
strength, intelligence and not easy. When you tell people about your promise,
most people see it as a challenge. In my experience, some guys can see it as
something they want to conquer or destroy. You have to be strong and
intelligent to handle these situations as they occur. But, overall, it is an
example.
What has purity taught me? It has taught me that easy is not
always the best way and that through hard work, the best outcomes appear. It has taught me that it is good to be picky
and not settle for the first thing or person thrown my way. I have certain
values and standards and I do not settle for any less. I am not prideful
because of this, but I am smart and look at the big picture.
Now, you might think that high standards are impossible
standards. By making this promise, I have been assured that my standards will
be filled. God looks favorable upon his servants and rewards them. He is
writing my love story because I trust him and have given him complete control
of it. I am not bitter about things I cannot have right now in my life because
I know there is better to come. A
promise for a promise. I am 100% confident that God will not fail me or my high
standards. You have to look at the big picture.
Now, remember the friend I was telling you about? How she
was an example for me and my purity? Well, a few years ago, I was living here
when a good friend of mine came up to me and confessed that she had decided to
get a purity ring as well. It was so
amazing to see how by just being me, I was an example for her. I remember
talking to her about my ring before, but I had no idea the impact it had made.
So, today I want to challenge you all to be an example. In
speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. This is a personal
decision and should not be taken lightly. Do your own research and decide for
yourself what kind of example you want to be in this world.
