Darling, dare to dream (Wait for Me 1 of 7)

Rebecca St. James and her husband, Jacob Fink, were married in April of last year. [Credit: magnoliapair.com]

Picture it now: You’re a young woman in distress, caught in the middle of danger and chaos, and out of nowhere your ideal, picture-perfect prince charming rides in on a white horse to save you. If you’re a guy, your version of this story looks a little bit different: Imagine yourself as a strong, courageous knight in shining armor who has been searching for his soul mate his entire life, and you finally behold the girl of your dreams for the very first time. She’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of, and you’re exactly what she’s been waiting for.

This fairytale-like image of true love may seem extremely childish and silly to you. After all, it sounds a lot like a fictitious Disney movie, doesn’t it? Or perhaps I’ve just put into words the hopes you have for your future, and you might be wondering if such a “happily ever after” really exists. Well let me ask you both to stick around, and let’s just see…

Before I go any further, I just want to make it clear that the bible never promises us an easy life. We know that life on earth is never perfect (including our love lives), but I truly believe with all my heart that when it comes to romance, we can definitely live out our lives in a way that honors God. No, it won’t be perfect. But it will be absolutely beautiful and exactly how God intended relationships with the opposite sex to be. Holding out to receive God’s blessing of intimacy the way it was intended is what I believe Eric & Leslie Ludy, two of my favorite authors, would call a “sweeter song.”

In Chapter One of Rebecca St. James’ book Wait for Me (see previous post if you don’t know why I’m blogging about this), she addresses what she calls “The Dream.” You know, exactly the type of scene I began this post with. And she shares that this desire to love and be loved in return is actually God-given.

“I believe that God has placed ‘The Dream’ inside each one of us, unless He has specifically called you to singleness,” Rebecca writes. “We each have a desire for intimacy, for someone to know us fully and love us completely. We long to be able to share our hearts and still find acceptance. A guy longs to protect; a girl longs to be protected. And that’s exactly the way God created us. When we follow His plans, there are great blessings in store.”

Rebecca continues in this chapter by explaining that it’s our culture that has distorted God’s perfect picture of purity, and that we are called to something greater.

“So many people have chosen to accept something less than God intended for them,” she writes.

The way I see it, when we give ourselves away to someone who isn’t committed to us for life through marriage, we are trading in a gift God intended for good for pleasure right now–pleasure that won’t even last! (Remember my post where I mentioned Esau, who traded his inheritance in for a bowl of lousy soup?) That’s what we do when we don’t remain pure before marriage, and I think that’s exactly what Rebecca is getting at.

Okay, okay. Let’s stop for a second. I know what you might be thinking now: “But that whole knight in shining armor crap is so unrealistic and ridiculous. It’s just not real. And neither is purity these days.” But I encourage you to keep reading. Check out this amazing picture Rebecca paints of a more relevant happily ever after. It just might change your mind.

“Can you picture with me the joy of the couple that has waited? They have a wonderful storybook wedding with family and friends wishing them well. The bride wears white, truly signifying the purity of her heart and body.

“As a special part of the wedding ceremony, the groom gives his bride a ring that he has worn on a chain around his neck, a symbol of his own commitment to sexual purity. It has helped him remain strong in his promise to God and to her for the years leading up to this beautiful day. She receives the ring with tears in her eyes.

“Hours later the groom carries his bride over the threshold of the cabin that is to be the honeymoon suite. He soon has a cheery fire burning in the fireplace, and after unpacking a few things, his joyful bride approaches him with an expectant, trusting, and contented smile on her face. As he reaches out to enfold her in her arms, both know that they are united with God’s blessing and protection on their mutual commitment of love within marriage.”

Isn’t that simply beautiful? Sure, remaining pure is hard work, but don’t you think it will be worth it when you’re finally united with the person God has chosen for you to marry? Check out this verse from 2 Timothy:

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

Don’t you see?! Purity is our calling. And I believe that because we are called to flee from sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6:18, we can absolutely do just that! Why? Because the bible was written for our instruction. (Check out Romans 15:4 if you have a minute.)

And you there on the other side of this screen with scars and a regretful past, I want you to know that this post and Rebecca’s book are not intended to hurt you or make you feel like dirt. You are beautifully and wonderfully made, and you can be pure. You can start all over again because of the blood that was shed on the cross.

To the ones who have waited and to the ones who are starting over, God bless you. It’s going to be a tough road, so I’m praying for you—praying that you’ll give up your dreams and desires to God and fight for purity. As Rebecca writes in Chapter One, “put all [your] dreams in his hands” and “forever surrender [your] plans.”

I encourage you to say a prayer today. Ask God to forgive you of your past and to help you start over right here, right now. Ask him to lead you and help you to walk in purity. Your heavenly father loves you deeply! And while you’re at it, surrender your dreams to God and his plans for your life. (He does have a plan for your life! Check out Jeremiah 29:11) And hey, if you desire to be married one day, it’s totally okay to pray for your future spouse. In Wait for Me, Rebecca even encourages us to write love letters to them. Why not give it a try?

Jen