Once again, I am compelled to write a column of great profundity.
You see, the story never changes. As Valentine's Day approaches, our thoughts turn towards — you know what — sex.
This is not to imply that V-Day is the only time that we think about sex. I'm sure that some of us think about it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This is not surprising since most of us are at the age when the hormones are driving
In some cases, it is to the point where our minds can no longer function rationally.
Of course, that is when we head down to the local bar or dance club, do a little "bump n' grind" and then go home with someone of the opposite sex. It's as if we have lost all traces of self-control.
Do we no longer care about virtue or the intimacy of sex within the bounds of marriage? Have we succumbed to the powers of lust so much that all we care about is the "feel-good" sensation?
People no longer treat sex with respect. Virginity no longer holds the same meaning. Everything has become a smokescreen just so we can get that fleeting pleasure.
What is particularly sad is as Valentine's Day approaches, we suddenly get that "lovey-dovey" feeling and we start to think that the only way we can show someone our love is through sex. However, love and sex are not the same thing.
In fact, unless sex is performed within the bounds of marriage, it has nothing to do with love. You see, extramarital sex simply boils down to nothing more than self-seeking, hedonistic lust.
Nevertheless, we would gladly deceive ourselves and believe that we are having sex because of love. But deep down, we know that this is not the case.
We have sex on Valentine's Day — or any other day for that matter — and then we wake up the next morning feeling empty and disgusting inside — like part of us was torn away. That's because there was really no love involved. You see, love is so much more than sex.
Love is giving, not taking. Love is respecting the wishes of others, not forcing them to do what they wouldn't. Love is patient and will wait until the words, "I do," are spoken. Love comes from the heart, not the pelvis.
It is easy to for us to confuse love and sex when we have hormonal urges that are off the chart.
However, God gave us a brain for a reason.
Think about these things. Are we ready to walk down an aisle and publicly profess that we love someone and wish to spend our entire lives with that person and that person only?
If not, then we probably aren't ready for the intimacies of sex, are we?
We live in a dangerous time. Sex outside of marriage will bring nothing but emotional hurt, heartache, disease, unwanted pregnancies — the list goes on and on.
"But sex is exhilarating and gives a real rush!" So does riding a roller coaster.
However, the cost and risk of riding a roller coaster are far less than those of extramarital sex. This is something to heavily consider.
No one can prevent us from having sex outside of marriage.
Quite frankly, if we are so hell-bent on having sex, then we're going to have sex.
However, some of us may actually start to think about truth and consequences.
Sex is not love. If we want to show someone our love, let's do so by waiting to have sex until we tie the knot.
Abstinence is really a better way to show love than sex because it demonstrates patience, virtue and respect.
For V-Day this year, let's not degrade the atmosphere of love by throwing lustful sex into it.
We will find that refraining from such hedonistic activities actually does have its benefits.
Think about what I've written this coming weekend when you're spending quality time with that special someone.
Virgin — it's not a dirty word.