It is a strange thing to learn that your body is a potential stumbling block to your brothers in Christ when you are thirteen, bone-skinny, and don’t even know how to properly blend foundation into your neck.
Wow. Reading this actually brought tears to my eyes as I remembered those awkward puberty days and how exhausting it was to constantly be aware of how I was covering my body and who I was shielding it from. Thank you for putting words to that experience.
I love that you haven't swung so far the other way as to decry the pursuit of chastity and modest at all, but that you've realigned where the focus should be, and the 'why'. It makes me happy for your daughter and all the girls that'll be raised knowing they're not a temptation or an outlet, but worthy of their own unique identity (and sexual desires, too). Thank you, Rachel!
Yes, I love to see the term chastity used in these discussions - as it is distinct from purity. I most often hear the term used in Catholic spaces, as they have a robust vision of the virtue of chastity as everyone's pursuit... even in marriage, there is a need for the right ordering of our sexuality. It's a beautiful and dignifying term and I hope it makes a comeback in Protestant spaces too, starting with this wonderful essay, Rachel!
Mmm that's a good point. I confess I didn't immediately know what chastity meant, as I've scarcely ever heard it used! It's so true that it's important even within marriage (as is modesty and those other virtues we're told to strive for in singlehood).
Wow. Reading this actually brought tears to my eyes as I remembered those awkward puberty days and how exhausting it was to constantly be aware of how I was covering my body and who I was shielding it from. Thank you for putting words to that experience.
I love that you haven't swung so far the other way as to decry the pursuit of chastity and modest at all, but that you've realigned where the focus should be, and the 'why'. It makes me happy for your daughter and all the girls that'll be raised knowing they're not a temptation or an outlet, but worthy of their own unique identity (and sexual desires, too). Thank you, Rachel!
Yes, I love to see the term chastity used in these discussions - as it is distinct from purity. I most often hear the term used in Catholic spaces, as they have a robust vision of the virtue of chastity as everyone's pursuit... even in marriage, there is a need for the right ordering of our sexuality. It's a beautiful and dignifying term and I hope it makes a comeback in Protestant spaces too, starting with this wonderful essay, Rachel!
Mmm that's a good point. I confess I didn't immediately know what chastity meant, as I've scarcely ever heard it used! It's so true that it's important even within marriage (as is modesty and those other virtues we're told to strive for in singlehood).
Such a helpful article! 🙌🏻 Saving it for future reference!
Same. I'll be preaching through the virtues during Lent and I have a feeling this will come in very importantly useful.
So good, Rachel. So, so good.
Love this one!
This is a good one!💗