Eternity On Our Hearts

The summer I was fifteen, life opened up for me. I was no longer in the geeky, chubby young teen stage, but a lean, older, trying-to-be-confident teen.

I'd completed my first year as a cashier for Publix and finally, I was allowed to leave the Express Lane and work a big register. Woo hoo. You do not know how much this meant to me! I no longer worked 11 - 2pm but 5 - 9pm. I'd arrived.

I'd also caught the attention of two part-time stockman, Pete Ramirez and Kevin Rattigan. They flirted and winked, smiled and complimented. My unsure confidence about my potential beauty or lack there of, soared. Other started to notice me too. (Pretty funny stories ensued, but later.)

I'd kind of been dating my brother's friend (and mine) but when these older "men" turned their attention to me, the other guy didn't have quite the same appeal. Fickle are the emotions of a fifteen year old.

I fell pretty hard for the dark eyed, dark haired Pete with his amazing smile and muscular frame. And he played hard to get for a really long time. He'd lure me close, then push me away. The entire store was involved in our drama. From the manager on down. Pete liked me but never asked me out.

I've blogged about that ordeal on these pages before, so I won't bore you with the recap. But finally, I'd turned sixteen and after lo so many months, he asked me out. We had four months together before my family moved from south to north Florida.

But I thought I was in love, thought he was the one. Then he wasn't the one and I met someone else. And another someone else. I went to college and met lots of guys. Though I didn't think any of them were "the one" I was looking, waiting, wondering.

When I met Hubby, all the waiting and wondering stopped. Recurring dreams about running out of my wedding, ended.

Looking back, I'm so glad I didn't commit my life to my sixteen-year-old female emotions. I know it's worked for many, many couples, but life still had a journey for me.

At sixteen, that journey was hard to see, hard to imagine. Sometimes we commit to a person or a job, or a way of life because we just can't see beyond the moment.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us God has written eternity on our hearts. In other words, it is within our very core to believe, know and trust that there is a life after this one. Eternity. In our hardest moment, on our toughest days, we can look up and believe God that an infinitely much better life is coming.

Based on the understanding I would one day be married to the man God had for me, I calculated my choices and my actions. I modified my behavior for the life I wanted to live not just in the moment, but five and ten years down the road.

I wanted a career, so I studied and went to college. I wanted to earn a good living, so I worked hard on my jobs.

We must apply the same to the Next Life. Don't live just for today, but for the era when this age will end and Jesus will come again, ushering in a new era, a new age, one that goes on for Eternity.

So what you're not rich in this life. You have all of eternity to become rich. So what you've given up a few meals for fasting, or a few television programs to be on your face before the Lord in prayer. Those heart motions will be rewarded by Jesus.

Hollywood will not take any of us into eternity. McDonalds, and y'all know I love McDonalds, will not fix my ills, or fix my place in the next life.

But a postured heart toward the Lord will. Look, I'm not saying go all religious and not live this life. Please. LIVE IT! I am. This life is my internship for the next. And frankly, I want a good showing.

I am not saved or justified by my works, no, no, hear me, it's all on Jesus and the work of the Cross. But what I do with my time, words, money and emotions IS on me. Those are the things I can "take with me."

I write because Jesus put it in my heart. I'm writing out of both love and obedience. I want to be a writer in the Kingdom, you know?

So, consider your thoughts and emotions? Are you too wrapped up in the "now" to consider the future? Are you in love with your "fifteen-year-old boyfriend" and truncating all your possibilities and potential?

Hear: fifteen year old boyfriend is a metaphor!

Pray to understand the beauty and value of eternity being written on your heart. Then walk in it.

Naked Christian Girls

Caught your eye, didn't I? I've been thinking about this topic for awhile, then last night I learned Heidi Montag from MTV reality shows, most recently, The Hills, is a Christian. Well, so I discovered after following a Twitter rabbit trail where I ended up on her husband's, Spencer Pratt, Twitter.

Not knowing much about her, I Googled her and "Oh, MY EYES!"

Wow, Heidi boobs and butts abound in cyberspace. Then, I discover she's all set for a fancy Playboy feature (the word spread just has too many other connotations) this September.

My heart is breaking. Heidi, you say you love Jesus yet you behave in such an immodest, lustful manner?

Jesus writes, "My sheep hear my voice," and "If you love Me, why don't you do what I say?"

The Apostle Paul writes to not behave in sensuality and immorality. To not be driven by our fleshly lusts. (Gal 5:19)

Heidi, you have so much beauty and by that power. You can influence young women toward purity (not prudity,) respecting themselves and their bodies, therefore causing men to respect them.

Sweetie, do you realize what men and boys will be doing when they view your naked body, alone, say, in their bedroom or bathroom. They are not going to be thinking, "Great work of art, let's go throw some football."

You're causing husbands, brothers, fathers to lust and sin in their hearts betraying the wives they love.

Why not use your platform to raise the bar. Song of Songs 2:15, "... do not spoil the vine while it is in bloom."

Impressionable young women are watching you. I know it's hard to be put on the role model pedestal, but it's too late. You are there.

The same with Carrie Prejean. Google her and see the pictures that come up. Beautiful girl, but how can her Christ message be taken seriously? How does she really look different from any other beauty queen or model. Her faith is just some value she has like one would believe in Buddah, or Mohammad.

Being nake for the world to see invalidates her message. "Hey, adore my body, now love Jesus."

The only way the Gospel can ring true if she turns, if she repents.

I know we don't talk much about repentence these days, but beloved, we need to be on our knees, repenting of our compromise, our embrace of sin.

To a church without mixture, God will pour out His Spirit without measure. Healings, deliverances, miracles, love and grace, peace!

I'd rather have those things to minister to a hurting world than to embrace sexual immorality and the "right" to parade around naked.

What power Carrie's beauty could bring for good if she raised the bar for women and preached self respect and purity. Education, humility and love.

I'm not against beautiful Christian women being in the market place or Hollywood. I am challenging the embrace of nudity and sensuality.

Being naked does not empower anyone. I hear that from Hollywood all the time. "I took my clothes off for the camera, it was so empowering."

Really? Then why aren't you naked now, or when you shop down Rodeo Drive. Because being naked is not empowering, but weakening. It makes us vulnerable.

The only "naked" we need to be is "naked" before God, letting Him change us from the inside out.

Carrie, Heidi, RAISE THE BAR!! Use your beauty and power truly for God's kingdom.

What is it with beautiful women who have perfect white teeth, long blonde hair, awesome bodies?