a sexual revolution

So I went to church yesterday. Jen and I look at the sermon title. A Sexual Revolution. She is like OH boy, this is going to be SO much fun. I was like great. Just what I need to hear, a sermon on sex and marriage. Blah blah blah blah.

Well, I have to say, it was probably one of the best sermons on the subject that I have ever heard. It really spoke some truths into life. Not just for married people, but for people as a whole. I was hoping the link for the sermon would be up, but I am not sure if they recorded it or not. So, I will try to sum up.

The New Testament reading was I Corinthians 6:12-20. Shane talked about the different views of things…the Epicurean view of “Eat, drink & be merry for tomorrow you die.” And the Asceticism view, “Sex is dirty & should be only for procreation."

Well…I never held to either of those beliefs. I think that for myself it is a question of what is one really looking for in a sexual relationship outside of marriage? Most of you know me so I am not going to go into my life long history here. This just struck a chord.

Here is a question. What does sex point to? Well, this is the BEST explanation I have EVER heard. “Sex points to or mirrors the union we long for with God.” Let me explain. It is a complete surrendering of oneself to someone. A level of trust and acceptance. We all long for someone to love us unconditionally. The act itself says “I’m giving my total being to you.” IF you are with someone outside of a relationship, meaning marriage. This is what you are saying, “I want your body, but I don’t want to take care of you emotionally, or you can have my body, but you can’t have my money.” One is attempting to divide the self and anguish, pain & confusion are often the result. Now, this isn’t just with sex, but with romance…the whole, being pursued and courted. Think about it. We ALL long for that.

So, Shane gave hints or points. How do we avoid it? ha ha ha Now THAT sounds funny.
First, we need to realize that it is a ‘god-substitute. Like said above, there is nothing on earth that so closely mirrors the union we long for with God.

So, you have to ask yourself. WHAT I am really looking for? So, I hate to admit Jen & I were passing notes throughout the sermon. I was like…oh good question. What am I looking for? Acceptance, love, caring, understanding…self-worth. Wait a second. Those are not things that another person can give me.

Yeah yeah, we SAY that we KNOW that, but do we really know that? Honestly, bottomline is this. The only ‘one’ that can fulfill your desires for acceptance, self-worth, blah blah, IS Christ. Ok, so I know that…question is HOW do I live that? (STILL trying to figure that one out.) Shane did mention building healthy relationship. Being in groups and really finding out who people are. (mind you I am TOTALLY paraphrasing that) But I think that is a great idea. I know, sorry Blayne & Deborah I am going to use you here. Ok, two of my dearest friends. Well, they didn’t actually ‘date’ as we think about it. They got to know each other by “hanging out” with friends. I have always felt that was one of the wisest things I have ever heard. I hate dating, I hate it with a passion.

In fact, last time I went out “for a serious date”, I debated for like a week if I really wanted to do it and then I made sure that we went over to a friends house for most of the evening. I think it gives one a chance to see who a person ‘really’ is. Ok, I digress.

Second point was, well, honestly, if you do live your life as a Christian. We don’t “own” ourselves. We have been bought and well there ya go. I think that is pretty straight-forward.

I like this quote as well. “You can always attempt to deny the anguish and guilt by telling yourself, ‘Sex is normal.’ God doesn’t say, “No or wait,” because it is bad, but because it is so powerful and good..

In the verses from yesterday, my favorite was…”Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial.” Wow. Yeah it is true, I can do just about anything I want. I can eat that donut or I can enjoy my South Beach bar. Really, which one is better for me?

SO, what am I trying to say with all of this? *whew* I feel like Shane now…going on and on. he he he

I have been praying for sometime that God would make His heart my heart, etc, etc…I think that the timing for this was of course His. He has been really speaking to me over the past week and I need to remember. He is the one in control and not me. Yeah, that is always easier said than done.

Now, I am not trying to say, Oh you don't believe this than, blah blah blah. It is more of me saying, Wow, this reallllly makes sense to me and I just wanted to share.

I am curious what you all think.