I have read this book before but I am reading it again for the second time. I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris often gives that off feeling thinking why would we stop dating? But this book isn't really focused on dating but on having relationships that are pleasing and glorifying to God.
The first time I read it, I was having a really hard time with a churchmate whom I was attracted with. We were both acting differently than how a usually churchmates should. We texted day and night, chat day and night, and he even calls me! We were really close in media even if in person, we don't really talk. Even if nothing physical or any malicious talks happened, we were still both not guarding our emotions. I was really desperate to end whatever we had back then that I read this book. Yet, I tell you the truth, the book did help me but it is not the sole reason why we ended things. To be honest, after I have read this, I didn't really follow it much. I still enjoyed our sweet talks. What changed the situation is revelation from God. It is really hard to end things you find pleasure in, but when it is God who finally tells you, obedience must follow. God wouldn't want us to do something that He knows wouldn't be the best for us. Just like what He said in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Indeed, God knows what He is doing because today, I am living a life freer than a life I had when I was into that other person. We both dedicated our time in serving in our ministries and focused on our growth and relationship with God. And what more, we grew to have better relationship with other people such as friends and family. I am just really thankful that he obeyed God because he was the first one who let go of what we had. It was amazing how things grew into something great once you obey God even if it is against your own will.
Now, I am reading this book in a whole new perspective. The first time I read this, my view was on how I can protect myself. And as a by-product of protecting myself, protect others also. To make my point clearer, imagine that I no longer wear the clothes I used to wear before I was redeemed and as a by-product of that, I not only guard my purity but I also guarded the purity of other people through their eyes. This time, I am seeing this book in a new way. I am reading this book in a way of putting myself in the shoes of other people. I want to help them protect themselves not just because of a by-product of my guarding but also by directly helping them like sharing and being able to explain properly the things I can gain from the book.
I want to do this to help them experience what I am experiencing now. I want them to feel the freedom and joy of obeying God. And is it not a pure joy when someone you used to help with this kind of season, now finally had a personal encounter with God and obeyed Him. I know they are made for a great and mighty destiny!
All praise be to God! Without Him, we are doomed.
