28 Jan More Than A Physical Act…

I lead a group of high school girls on Sunday evenings, and in our group time, we’ve been following along with the adult service series, A Theology of Sex. At first, my girls were confused as to how a series on sex would apply to them as high school girls. If they aren’t having sex, then what else is there for them to know?

I too am sometimes left wondering if there is more to sex than just the physical act. As a single woman, though I am not engaging in the act of sex, I know sex still affects me. I desire to be in a marriage relationship and part of that desire is a physical longing for sex and intimacy. As a woman my entire life is lived, felt, and processed through my eyes as a woman. My sexuality affects every cell in my body, every emotion, and even the way I think – especially that time of the month!

“My understanding of the world around me as a woman is not greater or less than that of a man’s understanding.”

Years ago, I would have argued my femininity was a component of who I was, but not a core of my being. Today, I am more fully convinced one of the most significant ways I experience life is as a woman; perhaps second only to my identity as a Christian. By compartmentalizing sex and sexuality to only a component of life, I am denying a core part of who I am and so also denying my innate power, for good or evil, to affect the world around me.

My sexuality, physically, mentally, and emotionally, is not designed to bring me glory, power, and praise, but to point to the One who created me. The celebration of the female form is seen in the earliest art, but this celebration is not about my own power to manipulate through physical beauty, but to point to the Creator of beauty. My understanding of the world around me as a woman is not greater or less than that of a man’s understanding but reflects the full perspective of a God who knows and understands all.

By redefining the lens through which I view my sexuality, I understand more clearly the truth and power of the God who created me as a woman, the same God  who created men. Together, whether single or married, we reflect his character, nature, and in some incomprehensible way, we reflect God himself.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

How does your female sexuality express itself in this season of life? Does your expression bring glory, power, and praise to the One who created you?

– Taylor Beard, Pelham 

Our new study, Redeeming Sexuality, begins the week of February 18th. Click here for more information and to register!