Recently, Tim Tebow has been in the news, and like most times it's not because of football. Tim Tebow has been getting mixed reactions from the media because he doesn't want to have sex until marriage.
This is something his now ex-girlfriend, Olivia Culpo, didn't want so she broke up with him. Let me start this off by saying I do applaud Tim Tebow for sticking true to his values, but I think he was wrong to go into a relationship knowing his partner wanted different things. Olivia is also wrong for wanting a sexual relationship with a person who has openly spoken about staying abstinent. They should have waited for someone that wanted the same thing as them. And so this story made me think about why I am choosing to wait and what waiting means to me.
I made the promise to wait when I was 13. At the time, it was an easy decision and I did it through my church with a group of my friends. I didn't sign a virginity pledge or anything like that. I was taught how God viewed sex and relationships and I was asked if I wanted to make that promise. I was not forced and, although I wear a ring, I was not obligated to get one. I did this all because I wanted to. If I forgot to wear my ring for a day, it didn't mean my promise was broken. The ring was just a symbol of the promise.
When I first made the promise to be abstinent, it meant just staying away from sex. But as I got older, I figured out what waiting meant for me. A person once told me that I should make a list of what I want in a spouse. What is their personality type? Do they love God and lead me closer to Him? They told me to make a list so specific that when I found someone who fit, I'll know he is the one. I haven't found that person yet. Sometimes I wonder if I will find that man, but I am not going to waste my time with someone who isn't good enough.
All of this may sound really harsh, but it is for the protection of my heart. I am not going to be with someone that will hurt me or want different things than me. I wait for sex because I am waiting for that one man who is meant for me. And when I find him, he will have no problem waiting until we are married to have sex. Does it suck being single? Sometimes, but I'm in no rush. I know when I find the right one it will be great.
Not everyone views sex and relationships the same way, and people shouldn't be judged for that. But just know that you should find someone who feels the same way as you. Don't try and change someone's beliefs to fit your needs. I hope one day I find that person I can share everything with. The person who is willing to wait for me too.
