In this continuation from Part 4, Jenny asks how to glorify God with our sexuality. Erin puts a great perspective on the “struggle” of a chaste life, and I share a bit about my past views…which were anything but glorifying to God.
Stay tuned for Part 6…the end of the discussion and where I make Jenny and Erin very uncomfortable in a little thing I like to call, “The Dating Game.” Any men out there single and ready to mingle with these two hotties? Come on back later this week.
Warning: You might have some competition.
Ok, this is getting out of hand…I am abusing the very little power that I have.
Over and Out.
Love and Respect (Now) is a division of Love and Respect. Please be considerate.
From My Heart
All of the Love and Respect Now Posts…In One Place!
Emerson & Sarah Eggerichs on Marriage, Parenting, Family of Origin, Work & Death
Fighting for Love (and Other Potentially Hazardous Cliches)
I love that last part of Kaitlyn’s comment .”there’s comfort in being ‘alone’ with someone else.” I might just steal that phrase.
These continue to be great. Seeing intelligent, sane people having these conversations thoughtfully and honestly is going to help a LOT of folks out there who have felt profoundly lonely in their desire to practice celibacy in a way that acknowledges their humanity and God-given sexuality as well as their desire to take up their cross and follow Jesus (who–lest we forget–practiced celibacy himself).
We hear about these conversations often with men (ie, “how do you deal with sexual temptation?”) but not that often with women. As much as I appreciate the Arterburns’ ministry, saying over and over again “Don’tlookdon’tlookdon’tlook” isn’t always the most helpful approach. If you’re NOT looking at that billboard, what SHOULD you be looking at? Having a totally negative approach (here’s what NOT to do) is only partially helpful. I think you ladies are trying to answer the question in a more nuanced way. Yes, it takes longer, but like Jenny and Erin pointed out, it’s more meaningful this way.
So: how DO you deal with temptation?
To answer my own question, I think crying out to God and expressing all the anger and frustration that come with loneliness is a good place to start. He can handle it.
Seeking out relationships with like-minded people is another way.
And lastly, I wonder how much pursuing creativity might be linked, somehow, to an outlet for our sexuality (okay, this is such a stretch, and maybe some people won’t follow at all). The thing is, the sexual impulses we have are, I think, partially linked to our inherent desire to pro-create. As long as we aren’t bearing children physically, maybe there’s something to meeting that desire by bearing fruit artistically… or in dance, writing, design, gardening… Will these practices make the urges go away? Probably not. Will the energy channeled from not being in a marriage or having one’s own family be used up in a similarly productive way? Possibly. Just a thought.
Wish the videos were still going on, but I know they all happened in the past! 🙂
Kaitlyn – I agree with Erin. When I read that last line of yours I thought it was so perfectly said. Praying you have a community around you that can also enter into this with you as you process what it means to reconcile your body and your beliefs!
Erin – Steal it. Call it your own. (-:
Val – Erin and I texted about you behind your back. You always bring just the right thing to the table. And I really like it when people pose and answer their own questions. Well done my brilliant friend.
The creative piece is right on. It’s something that I think we have marginalized to people who are just “gifted” creatively. We don’t foster creativity in anyone other than the people who show “real promise.” While creative outlets won’t be the cure all, it’s a refocusing. Which as you mentioned, is far better than a “negative” approach to dealing with areas we are trying to have control over.
“The thing is, the sexual impulses we have are, I think, partially linked to our inherent desire to pro-create.”
Yep. Val, I think you’re on to something.
Joy, Erin, Jenny: Great, great series.
Renea – The only thing that would have made it better would be if you, Val and Jasie were actually there with us. Oh and Richard of course.
Kaitlyn thinks...
Great post. I’ve been struggling with this part of my relationship with God, lately. Trying to remain faithful to God, and what he wants for your life, while living in this modern world, is very difficult. There’s pressure from a lot of different sources, and I don’t know how to reconcile my beliefs with what my body, and the media, is wanting me to do. It’s a struggle, that’s for sure! It’s a little easier to know that other people have such a difficult time with this as well. There’s comfort in being “alone” with someone else.
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