One Ring to rule them all...

First, let me apologize for the lack of posting last month. I feel really bad about that, because if you’re reading this, you probably care about what’s going on in my world. I’ll definitely be working on being more regular with the updates from now on. November was mostly uneventful, aside from the frenzied attempt at NaNoWriMo. So. Here we go!

A lot of people, especially here in the military (or maybe it’s just that the military is the largest group of people I’m social with who aren’t already familiar with this practice) often wonder at the ring on my left hand, particularly when they find out that I’m not married. The most entertaining (and erroneous[I always wanted to use that word in a sentence]) theory has been that it’s a celibacy ring, and that I’ve forsworn sexual activity for the rest of my natural life. I LOL’ed. In point of fact, the ring itself means nothing. I could take it off, melt it down, and sell it, and it would not change the way I live my life.

No, the ring is only a symbol. An outward expression of a decision made in the core of myself. (Before I continue, know that I do not judge nor condemn anyone who lives differently. That’s between them and God, and is none of my business. ) ‘What is this commitment that could be so offensive?’ You say. Simple. I have chosen to remain abstinent from sexual activity until I’m married, and to keep my heart and mind clean from such influences until the same time. In a world that says we should like however we want, to give in to any impulse that springs into our heads, this is nigh incomprehensible-and to some, offensive on a level equal to blasphemy. They say you’re not a man until you’ve been with a woman. I say bullshit. They say ‘What if your wife isn’t good in bed?’ I say ‘Who cares? If I keep to my commitment, I’ll never know.’ They say I’m a coward, a pussy, because I won’t do what they do, won’t go with the flow. I say they’re just jealous. Because I say I’m more of a man then they, for the simple fact that I choose to stand for something.

Maybe that comes across as harsh. Maybe you’re one of the ones who live by your impulses. Maybe you say that I’m intolerant and close minded. I say, ‘Okay, cool. You have an opinion. Congratulations. I’m stuffing mine down your throat; I’m just clarifying what I stand for. So I’ll let you live how you believe is right, and I’ll do the same.’ Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. If getting so hammered that you can’t remember anything and sleeping with a different person every night makes you happy, you have the right to pursue that lifestyle. But that’s not what I’m looking for in this life. Also, I should make clear that I am in no way perfect, and I'm not going to magically be able to live this commitment perfectly every day. There are times when I fail, falter, take that second look at the girl walking by... But I keep trying. One failure won't keep me from my ultimate goal.

Colossians 3

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.