I realize that this subject can really get over-exhausted especially by us females, but our volleyball devotion on Thursday really brought this out for me again. It wasn't anything in depth, but it just reminded me that I do need to watch what I'm wearing, how I'm acting, etc. Sometimes, I forget to take as much trouble worrying about modest my clothes are because, honestly, I'm not thinking that I'll be attracting any lustful attention. Part of the devotion was on the length of our shorts while playing sports. My shorts are not exactly teeny-tiny, but they're not knee-length either. I always thought it wasn't such a big deal because the guys weren't looking at me and thinking, "Whoa. Look at her LEGS." I'm not saying this out of false modesty or anything, that's just the way things are. But I realized I still need to watch what I'm wearing, even if it's just to set an example to those who might look up to me.
I think purity has become so undervalued in the Christian community. Coach Gina brought out the fact (which I already had figured out, but was a nice reminder) that purity doesn't necessarily mean only sexual abstinence until marriage. It includes conduct, behavior, language, and dress. It's become very commonplace for me to see Christian girls I know flirt outrageously with the teenage boys, dance provocatively, and not dress very modestly. I know I shouldn't judge; there are a million things wrong with me, too. These things are easier for me to come down on because I don't think I really struggle with them. My mom won't let me dress immodestly and I'm trying not anyway. I'm not a flirt because I don't really know how to be (correct me if I'm wrong, please =)). And the boys really don't talk to me much anyway. Maybe it's because I tell them they're shallow. Hm, oh well. =) I'm not much of a wild dancer (Shakira, Shakira!!) because I'm too withdrawn and shy to be. At least in public.
I could go on a much harsher rant as I have in the past, but I'm trying to learn to mellow, especially because I know people do read this and I don't have any right to judge motives. Here's a thought-provoking question that was raised at the senior dinner: Is loss of innocence and loss of ignorance the same thing?
Why This Blog Exists
- Absalina
- "Ye must be born again...your whole nature must be re-born; your passions, and your affections, and your aims, and your conscience, and your will, must all be bathed in a new element, and reconsecrated to your Maker-and, the last not the least, your intellect." --John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua
4 comments:
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." ~Jesus (Mat 10:16)
I'm sure you have no idea how to flirt.
I might have an answer to your final question in your post, but I want to blog about it. Don't worry, I'll credit you with the question, including plenty of links. =)
oh, and I think you should read my blog and do what I requested, haha.
It seems that you have not had any theological reflections since this blog started...
I know I'm late to this purity party, but I thought I'd contribute anyways.
Remember that women are only "half the problem" (i'm saying this tongue in cheek) when it comes to many of the problems you cite. It takes two to flirt, dance provocatively, and to lust, ect. Women are only responsible for their side of the equation. There are some guys who could lust after a woman covered head to toe in black. As long as women conduct themselves according to how the spirit of God convicts them, I think they're fulfilling their responsibility.
As a Christian male I'm appreciative of women who dress attractively without bareing all for the world to see, are engaging in conversation without flirting, and are generally fun to hang out with without being terrified of how they are being percieved.
I agree that purity is undervalued in Christian circles. I think many Christians today (myself included at times) are trying to live "pop christian culture". We want to be cool Christians. Instead of living "in the world but not of the world" we try to reconcile both belief systems and as a result we compromise out Biblical belief system.
-TAB
Post a Comment