Cutural Rebel

Perhaps this will help me clear my writer's block. Forgive me as I rant, but I need to give myself a pep-talk.

Sunday night, I was greeted by my bubbly (and very sweet) nursery co-worker, Kendra; she's a year older than I and fun to chat with. Kendra was especially bubbly that night because she and her boyfriend were looking at engagement rings that week. I half-listened as she showed me a picture of the rings she wanted and chattered about how wonderful her boyfriend is.

Two of my friends are engaged and preparing to get married. Four are happily married with children and comfortable homes. Their husbands work average jobs. They do all the things that most young housewives do. Three are expecting babies.

All of my peers are either dating, engaged, or married. It's culturally acceptable at my age to "hook up" with someone. In high school you can somewhat avoid the dating scene, but once you reach college and beyond -- it's smothering. The pressure is incredible. People look upon you as some sort of freak when you tell them you are not in a "relationship" nor are you planning to be in one for a long while. People are still maturing in their college years. Why do so many of us college students (especially females) throw aside our studies to pursue a romantic relationship? Even my own mother got married during her sophomore year of college and never finished her BS degree.

I informed my mother the other day that I am giving the next three years of my life to the Lord. Not that I'm not giving my entire life to Him, but I have purposed to completely avoid the dating scene during the rest of my college years. It's just me and God. Now is the time to focus on ministry and my studies. Now is the time for learning life lessons as well as in the classroom. I want to finish my Bachelor's degree. I want to go on lots of mission trips.

Most of all, I want to go against the flow -- something I've always done. If everyone else is doing it, then I'm not going to. That's just my personality -- cultural rebel.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:34)

So for all of you singles out there -- see your singleness as a gift from God. Use the time He has given you to the fullest. Read a good book. Dance in the rain. Eat chocolate ice-cream. Stay up late talking with your best friend. Hug your mom. Eat pizza. Go on mission trips. Help in the local shelter. Eat sushi. Share the gospel with the guy on the street corner. Sing along with the radio with your car windows down. Eat a salad (especially after the pizza and ice-cream).

Thank you for allowing me to get on my soapbox. I am beginning to feel much better.