I was supposed to write about a totally different topic related to words that I’ve been thinking about most of the week, but God’s brought another one that I’ll share first.
As I’ve mentioned a few times, I’m involved in this ministry called Worth the Wait (WTW), which represents sexual purity through runway shows and talks at Christian gatherings across the country. Since it was started in 2006, there’s been a yearly model call through which people audition to represent WTW for one year on the runway and off it, with their lives.
Last week marked one year since I joined WTW, and Saturday it was time for another annual Model Call. I signed up to volunteer at the event. I was prepared just to serve, but I left being served.
Current WTW members showed up wearing our many different org t-shirts (plus bringing our own flair:)), ready to do personal interviews with the candidates. But it turned out that we ended up spending most of the time sharing with each other.
God really used those hours to encourage me through others’ words. We talked about our challenges and triumphs in purity. Some shared about how they’ve come to embrace—and enjoy—their singleness and the chance to be more dedicated to serving God. One girl shared about God’s faithfulness in her recent engagement. Hearing all of those stories reminded me of God’s amazing plans for me both now—and in the future.
Sometimes I forget how important encouragement from other followers of Christ can be. God’s wired me to have the resolve to do things without much motivation and to bounce back quickly if I’m ever down. I never really worry about myself being okay—I know God has me, and that’s usually enough. But that can also make me overlook the value of encouragement from others. I’m thankful that before too long God always reminds me how it’s still needed in my life—especially in the area of purity.
God’s also used this sermon series on purity from the pastor of a Long Beach, California, church called "Sex in the City of God"that I think may be the best I’ve ever heard on the topic. Two messages in the series, “When Do We Get to Kiss?” and “The Superiority of Singleness” have been the most memorable for me, which I’ve linked to (and, in case you’re curious, the church’s vision, values and beliefs). The pastor also hits dating, modesty and lust. I think more pastors should go “beyond sex” and into the message of purity with their Sunday-morning words to help the Body grasp what it really means to follow Christ in this area.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
I love those words. In the Body of Christ we have a responsibility to help motivate each other in righteousness. When we “meet together” in fellowship, we allow the opportunity to be blessed by others—and words are one important means of doing that. Also, as 1 Timothy 4:12 says, even as younger people we’re told to set an example for other believers by our speech and purity, among other ways. Let’s spur each other on to these callings!
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