Ladies, let me begin by saying that this is not your
typical summer reading challenge. In
fact, I’m actually going to challenge you to NOT read. Yep!
There is a particular book out there that is getting a lot of
attention. It has jumped to the top book
sales charts with raving reviews like this:
“Fifty
Shades of Grey, quickest paperback to 550k mark” and “Fifty Shades, fastest to
a million, obliterates records.”
50 Shades of Grey
When I was first introduced to
this book, it was through friends’ comments on Facebook. I kept seeing more and more status updates on
this title, yet never checked it out for myself. It wasn’t until one friend wrote, “I am
starting my morning off right, with a cup of coffee and (insert picture of book)
this guy”, “I can’t read this book
without blushing”, and “My husband is hopeful I’ll learn some bedroom tips”,
that I figured out that this was a different
sort of summer reading book. I’ll
admit I was curious.
But very quickly, I
received a check in my spirit from the Lord.
Was this something I was supposed to read?
50 Shades of Grey is categorized
as “Erotic Romance” and, in some places, “Soft Porn”. From the excerpts I’ve read, this book is
graphic in its depictions (sometimes violent) of the intimacy in the relationship
and interactions of a couple. Again, I have not read this book, but it got me thinking...
“Should I let my
mind race with these thoughts about another couple and then compare my own
relationship to theirs?" Or, “Maybe it's OK, just wanting to spice things
up a bit.”
The Spirit led me to these truths: "We should start by praying
for our marriages. Begin by asking God,
the one who created sex for our pleasure, within the context of marriage, for a
strong and renewed desire for our husbands.
If God created this gift for husbands and wives, surely He wants it to
be good. Our marriages are sacred. We need to guard them with every ounce of our
beings. In this world, that is very hard
to do. The Bible talks about guarding our hearts and our
minds. It says that our minds are to be
renewed in Him,
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs
of this world, but let God transform you
into a new person by changing the way
you think.
Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and
pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:1
If you have read this book, I’m
not here to judge you. I am hoping that
this provokes some serious thought about how you spend your free time and with
what you choose to let enter your heart and mind, as it did for me. If you are
currently reading this book, I’m challenging you to stop. And if you haven’t read this book, take this
summer reading challenge and DON’T read it.
Let’s read things that are
uplifting and that increase our understanding of what God wants for our lives,
our marriages, and our futures.
I love what Proverbs 4:23 says,
“Guard your heart above
all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
With love in Him,
Alexis
Note from editor: Love to read? Looking for alternatives? Did you know there are lots of great Christian novelists out there writing in all your favorite genres (romance, suspense,etc)? Personally, "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers is at the top of my list. She has a number of great books. I have also enjoyed Beverly Lewis, Randy Singer, & many more. Of course, my all-time favorite was written by God, the Bible.
Philippians 4:8-9 says to put into practice thinking of such things: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. And the God of peace will be with you.
