Happy Tuesday, awesome blog readers.
Today’s post is a bit different than normal (and I do know that I say that a lot). However, some things have been on my heart recently about teens and relationships.
This is a shorter post today, because today is my first day back to school and last night I was trying to get to bed early. A near-impossible feat on a blognight, I know (and I just made that term up now).
But nevertheless, the points still stand. And I’d like to share them with you.
I am planning on planning on doing more “Dear Christian Teens” articles in the future. (Yes, I am very indecisive and unpredictable, so I can’t promise anything, but I will plan on planning on it.) 😛
I mean, this is a teen blog, after all.
So, here goes. Dear Christian Teens #1. In which Amanda talks about romantic relationships. And dating. And other things she has never quite experienced, but probably will someday.
**
This is written like three separate letters. (Have you noticed my obsession with letters yet?) It’s rather choppy, I know, and I’m sorry. But I wanted to alternate. Because alternating is fun.
So…to be blunt…
Dear Christian Teens,
Dating is not a sport. It’s not “marital practice”. We should focus on the final goal when we are considering a romantic relationship – marriage – for our hearts are much too precious to be thrown around like bowling balls.
Dear Christian Guys,
Value the modest girls. The ones who care about God’s opinion over yours. Beauty fades. Dignity stays.
Dear Christian Girls,
Value the gentlemen, not the bad boys. Humility and selflessness are to be treasured, not thrown away.
Dear Christian Teens,
Choose to love someone who loves God over you. If your eyes are fixed on others and not God, you won’t find The One God has for you. You will find them by focusing on Him.
Dear Christian Guys,
True beauty comes from the inside out. Not the other way around.
Dear Christian Girls,
Don’t compromise your purity to be loved. Rather, prove that you’re worth it by staying pure.
Dear Christian Teens,
Love your family. Treat them with respect and kindness. How else do you expect to be ready for having a family of your own?
Dear Christian Guys,
Your walk with God is invaluably important; you are to be a spiritual leader. You don’t have to be a pastor, but God calls you to be the head of your family and to lead them in truth. Never compromise that.
Dear Christian Girls,
You are God’s beautiful creation, and not an object. Don’t make people think you are by dressing and acting without decency and dignity. Never forget that who you are is defined by what Christ has done for you, and you do not have to prove anything.
Dear Christian Teens,
God must be the center of your life. If He is not, especially in terms of relationships, your life will not be solidly built. Form your life around your relationship with God, and let Him lead you.
And Christian Teens once more,
Marriage will not always be glamorous like in the movies. It won’t be all butterflies and rainbows. But love, and the most beautiful kind at that, is a love that is committed. Not just when it’s easy, but always.
**
I’m sorry if my thoughts are incoherent.
But I guess what I’m trying to (indirectly) say through these mini-letters is this.
God should ultimately be the one guiding our relationships, not us alone.
We all are precious and valuable, and none of us should ever see others as objects (despite what the culture says).
“Old-fashioned” virtues like modestly, decency, humility, and selflessness are BEAUTIFUL. To be treasured, and valued and appreciated.
When commitment to God and to each other is the center of a romantic relationship, it will be much stronger. Seriously. God isn’t to be put on the back burner, people.
And lastly? Dating and relationships are to be taken seriously. As are our relationships with our families. Because really, the ultimate goal is to raise up families to love God and know Jesus.
We can’t listen to the culture when it comes to such important matters. Marriage is beautiful, people. Not to be corrupted.
We were made for each other, God designed it that way.
So Dear Christian Teens,
Let’s be serious. Let’s focus on God first before others, and treat everyone like Jesus would.
Anybody with me?
*aj
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