I Have a Secret...

I barely passed Poli Sci in college.

WHAT?!  But I thought you were a government teacher, Amy!

Well, yes, I am.  I accepted a job teaching Government and Economics knowing it was not my passion or strength but hoping beyond hope that I would eventually be able to teach the subject that really gets me going – Theatre.

Some might tell you that is not the best way to go about getting the job you want and even I recognize that it’s not an ideal situation but it’s the truth.  My little secret.

The reason I decided to divulge this information today is because I started thinking about the insecurities that come with being asked to do something you’re not very good at.  For me, it takes me out of my comfort zone and goes against my personality and my personal mantra: If you can’t do something well, don’t do it at all. (Incidentally, that's why you'll never catch me playing a game of chess. I suck at strategy.)

I’ve been thinking about this predicament in terms of obeying the call God has placed on my life.  I’m well aware that He often asks believers to serve in areas that are weaknesses rather than strengths.  That whole “when you’re weak, you’re strong” business is VERY difficult for me to grasp sometimes and if I’m being completely honest, I’m reluctant to get on board with tasks that are not closely related to my areas of “expertise.”

As I type that out, I have to laugh.  I’m really not an expert on anything.  I suppose maybe I’m an expert sinner, but that’s about it.  That certainly doesn’t leave me in a position to lead others or point fingers toward their wrongdoing, does it?

And yet, much like when I was asked to teach Government to high school juniors, I feel God asking me to step out of my comfort zone and address the very issues that I struggle most with. Before I do, please understand that this is not one of those “pick at the speck in your eye while a plank hangs out of mine” situations.  I have spent the better part of 2012 removing said two by four and I am finally able to see more clearly.

Okay, enough build up.  “What’s the issue?” you ask.

Sex outside of marriage.

I know, I know…you’re thinking I’m getting ready to beat a dead horse.  But that’s just it.  This horse is far from dead.

The world would have you and me believe that saving sex for marriage is some archaic practice reserved for the elderly or radical, conservative nut jobs when the fact of the matter is…

It is wrong.  Plain and simple. 

Countless Christians today are ignoring this plain and simple, straightforward truth.  They are going about their lives, attending church, trying to make right decisions in other areas but all the while ignoring God’s instruction in this one.

How do I know that?  Because I was that Christian for many years (until very recently) and because I watch it in friend after friend after friend…

Until now I have not said anything because I recognize what a hypocrite that would make me and because I am so hesitant to hurt feelings or step on toes or make enemies.  But today I came across a passage that gave me the courage to speak up on this very uncomfortable topic. 

In the book of Jeremiah it speaks of false prophets.  Chapter 23, verses 16 and 17 describe them in this way:

            “They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord…And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’”

I recognize that sin WILL harm us, especially this particular sin and that is why I feel compelled to talk about it.  As your friend, I do not want to step on your toes or anger you, but more importantly – most importantly – I do not want harm to come to you.

I’m living proof that sex outside of marriage brings harm - physical harm, emotional harm, relational harm, spiritual harm.  You name it, I’ve probably experienced it to some degree.  It’s taken me a long time to grasp the concept that God is not some mean guy in the sky with a list of things we can’t do but rather a loving father who longs to protect his children.  He didn’t ask us to save ourselves for marriage because he’s a killjoy – he wants us to experience the husband and wife relationship the way it was intended to be.

Yes, I’m sad that I messed that up but what really brings me to tears is the fact that I know God has forgiven me and that if I will just be patient, He will show me that he’s not through with me yet.

It may seem that God is asking a lot of you to wait, to be pure, to say no to this particular temptation but I’m asking you to trust that He has so many blessings he wants to pour out in your life if you will be obedient.

And if, like me, you think there’s just no way you will win this battle because you’re too weak, I ask you to remember that through your weakness God wants to make His power known.

A piece of information I should include here is that one year after I accepted the position of teaching Government and Economics, I was offered the Theatre Teacher’s job.  Looking back, I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and agreed to teach in spite of what I saw as a weakness.  Now I have a job that I truly love and get excited about. 

Will you step out of your comfort zone and agree to obey in spite of what may seem like a weakness or impossibility in your life?

God’s word promises…blessings await if you do.