“I Wish I Could Get It Back”

Have you ever lost something valuable and wished you could get it back? Sometimes what we leave behind or lose is irretrievable.

In the summer of 1983 I had the opportunity to go to China on a college-sponsored trip. I had no plans for the summer when a single phone call changed my life.

This was long before the days of digital photography and cell phone cameras, and the only camera we had was a small Brownie box style. It was valuable because it was old, and so I was charged with its care to document this extraordinary journey.

At one stop along the way, I inadvertently left it behind. By the time I realized it much later, there was no way to retrieve it. I was crushed, knowing my parents would be disappointed in me, and I had no way to record the wonders I would see. I had been a poor steward of what was entrusted to me.

Your most valued possession?

What are your most valued possessions? Something treasured that was entrusted to your care? You may not realize it, but you have one that could only be given, but never purchased for yourself. God bestowed this gift to you at your birth, and He entrusts it to your care and stewardship. Are you doing all you can to protect it? Are you aware of what it is?

When you were born, God blessed you with the precious gift of innocence. In its simplest definition, to be innocent is to be free from sin or moral wrong. Since Satan and his society influence every human being to develop a selfish nature that leads us all to sin (Romans 3:23), this state of innocence doesn’t last long. However, innocence also refers to your chastity or purity.

This purity is a gift given from God to be preserved and protected for you to present to your future mate (1 Timothy 5:22). Is that important anymore? Does it really matter if you remain chaste or keep your sexual virginity?

It does to the God who gave it to you.

God’s perspective

The Bible refers to sins related to sexual misconduct as fornication or adultery. Fornication refers to any sexual conduct prior to the marriage union. Adultery refers to sexual unfaithfulness by a married person. Fornication is not a word we commonly hear in today’s language, but it includes making out, hooking up, sleeping together, sexting, etc.

Here are a few scriptures that show God’s perspective:

• “Flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
• “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints” (Ephesians 5:3).
• “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

What can you do?

As teens, you have undoubtedly had some kind of exposure to “sex education” in your school—usually focusing on how to avoid consequences, rather than avoiding the sin. Whether you and your parents planned to discuss these things at an early age, they have been ushered into your mind by society—through television, movies, books, music, Internet images or even in the disguise of “education.”

How do you prevent this onslaught from stealing your innocence? Here are some tips that will arm you for this daily battle:

• Pray for God’s strength and protection, along with daily reading of the Scriptures (Philippians 4:6-7, 13).
• Ask God to help you preserve your gift of innocence and purity for marriage, which is very pleasing to Him (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
• Christ lived as a human being and showed us by His perfect example that it can be done (Hebrews 4:15-16).
• Ask your parents to pray about this with you and on your behalf. This also honors them and is part of the accountability God places on them (Ephesians 6:1-2).
• Avoid entertainment with wrong messages. Flee from temptations and avoid situations that could be dangerous or put pressure on you to compromise God’s values.

A very important key to valuing your purity has to do with understanding why you are preserving it. One day you will meet your future mate, become friends, grow in love and plan to marry. This purity, along with your love, is a gift you are reserving for your future husband or wife on your wedding night. What a wonderful expression of true love to present yourself “unspotted” to your bride or groom (Song of Solomon 4:7, Ephesians 5:25-27).

What if you’ve made a mistake?

You may ask, “But what if it’s too late for me?” If you have already stumbled or compromised in a moment of weakness, it is not too late. Our great God and merciful Creator will forgive you and help you return to the path of good stewardship (1 John 1:9). You cannot retrieve your innocence, but He will restore to you a clean and pure heart (Psalm 51:10).

Far more important than any physical possession, cherish the gift of innocence God entrusted to you. Preserve it for your future mate and make it the ultimate expression of your love when it will really matter.

Laura La Ravia grew up in the Church of God and is now a wife, mother and member of the Beloit, Wisconsin, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. She remembers well how difficult it can be to grow up as a teen in the Church but deeply appreciates the blessings God affords to those who are faithful.

Related links:

• The Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery
• Sexting in a Christian World: What’s Wrong With This Picture?
• Do You Have Any Kids Yet?