Moriah Peters- BraveSample

Waterfall

People often ask me about the word, “purity.” Since getting married, I’ve realized that unless we’ve dissected the word “grace” first, we’re wasting our breath. Grace is beautiful. It comes to us in our dark corner, while we weep and mourn over the bad thing we’ve done, and it lifts our chin, smiles and covers our nakedness in a blanket that is white as snow. It ushers us to the foot of the cross and gently removes the burden off our backs to leave it on the ground. It mends our wounds and tells us we’re forgiven and to start fresh. And it does this over and over and over again. Grace makes us say, “I never thought you'd look at me the same but here you are and nothing has changed”.

This must be the foundation of what we build “purity” upon. Otherwise, we’re left with a list of rules to abide by and when (not if) we fail, we allow guilt and shame to push redemption aside because we feel unworthy, soiled and finished.

Whether it be between two lovers or two family members, relationships were created by God for God and where “two or more are gathered, [He] is in our midst” (Matt. 18:20). But He’s not there to judge us or point the finger every time we almost or completely fail, He’s there to be our strength in moments of weakness. He says to us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Even though Joel and I waited for our wedding day to have our first kiss, there were plenty of times where we had to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to keep waiting. Only He can help you say ‘no’ when everything in you is wanting to say ‘yes.’

So, as we step into the dangerous and beautiful, risky and wonderful world of love, let us ask ourselves how our relationship can be a light - something that others are drawn to with hope and curiosity. And if this is our aim, surely the enemy will come to us with plans to destroy what God has brought together, but know that God will always remain with grace in one hand and strength in the other. “Grace like rain let it fall, let it fall. You stay with me through it all, through it all.”