Why I'm STILL wearing my purity ring

Here's my purity ring. It's a little beaten up and scratched, but that's because I've been wearing it since my parents gave it to me for my 16th birthday. I wear it on my left ring finger, so people often ask me if I'm married. I simply respond with, "No, it's a purity ring," and they are usually surprised or encouraged because it's not often that you hear a single, 23-year-old woman talk about purity. 

There seems to be a trend in Christian culture that is revolting against Christian culture itself (does that mean they're Christian hipsters?...anyways, different discussion). Now, there are some parts of Christian culture that may deserve to be revolted against, but I think we have to be careful in how we broach the subject because too often the pendulum just swings in the other direction. 

You can disagree, but I think some things in Christian culture (like wearing purity rings, which swimsuits we buy, what time of the day I do my devotional, etc.) come down to where your heart is. The truths in the Bible will remain the same, but the Lord can convict us all on different levels about different things. 

I've seen several girls write blog posts about taking off their purity rings and their reasonings behind it. Granted, some of their points are valid, but I believe there are still valid points on both sides.

For instance, I'm not just wearing my ring until the man of my dreams comes to sweep me off my feet and replace my purity ring with a big ol' rock, so we can dance to "God Gave Me You" at the reception. And some girls have struggled that-the idea that life begins after you get married. 

I'm not wearing my purity ring as a place holder in my life until a man comes in to complete me. 

Some people relate to this in other ways. Maybe they are waiting to get their dream job or have kids or own their own house or be financially independent. Whatever it is that you're waiting for or striving towards, know that your life has already begun. There are beautiful things and people around you, so begin to appreciate those instead of just always living in the future and therefore missing out on the present. (Ok, soapbox moment is done...)

Back to the purity rings. I also don't wear it as a symbol of being holier-than-thou. Yes, it is an outward symbol to the world that I am making a very conscious decision to save sex for marriage, but that doesn't mean that I am automatically full of disdain for people that have not made that decision. It is a personal decision I have made off of my religious beliefs. 

So I'm not saying that every Christian girl should run to the nearest James Avery store and pick up a purity ring because you're not being a good witness if you don't. But I'm also not saying that every girl that has one should take it off because you are wrongly motivated in wearing it. Like I've said before, it's time for an evaluation of our hearts. 

Is having a purity ring (or any other religious symbol....WWJD bracelets, anybody?) becoming a stumbling block of pride? Then maybe it's time to take it off but just continue with your commitment in a more private manner. Is it something that serves as a humble reminder of a decision that you've committed to? Then leave it on and continue to stand strong. 

It's all about balance. A pendulum going too far in either direction can be dangerous.