American culture paints a warped picture of feminine success. So focused are we on acquiring our rights that what began as an urge and a drive to not be counted as less valuable or able than men has strangely morphed into the generally accepted idea that women and men are not only equal but the same. The same. On the surface, that seems fine. No differences equals no barriers. Right?
That sort of thinking is what makes the feminist movement dangerous to the fabric of the family. Men and women are different; and that is not a bad thing. Saying that and knowing that does not make me anti-woman. Nor does it mean that I am in favor of suppression.
Remember Annie Oakley’s song line, "Anything you can do, I can do better"? I love that line. Love that song. But even though it makes me smile, it’s not quite accurate. Being able to do something does not mean that I should do that thing. I can do many things, but only a few of those many things are part of what I am called to do. Doing those few things means employing my God-given gifts. For each of us, work that is part of our calling always does the most thorough job of highlighting our strengths, magnifying our joys, and glorifying our Savior.
Men and women are divinely designed to be different; but "different" is not a synonym for "less". He set it up so that our gifts, our strengths, would lie in different areas. That He did so that we would compliment each other. We were designed to work together--designed to need each other. That need is not weakness. It is meant to be the beginning of a new kind of Christ-centered strength.
The principle of submission used to scare me. Loss of control is always a little scary. Then, I realized The Cross is the great equalizer.
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free,
there is neither male nor female:
for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
--Galatians 3:28--
As long as he is your brother in Christ before he becomes your husband, there need be no fear attached to submission. I love the way that Maya Angelou worded it. She said:
A woman's heart
should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
His being bound to The Cross insures that the power that you yield is used to bless and not to abuse. The Cross becomes your safety net, and submission becomes very much a mutual and joyous act.
Therefore as the church
is subject unto Christ,
so let the wives
be to their own husbands
in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it.
–Ephesians 5:24--25
He who loves you as Christ loved the Church will find joy in seeing you shine, not in forcing your silence.
These words from the Hebrew holy book called the Talmud paint a beautiful picture of marriage as Jesus means it to be:
The woman came from a man’s rib–
not on his feet to be stepped on;
not on his head to be superior,
but on his side to be equal;
under his arms to be protected,
and near his heart to be loved.
As I read these words again, I am reminded, again, that nowhere but in The Cross of Christ can women find such equality, such voice, such victory. Thank You, Lord, that we are so valued. Thank You, Jesus, for that precious liberty!
not on his feet to be stepped on;
not on his head to be superior,
but on his side to be equal;
under his arms to be protected,
and near his heart to be loved.
As I read these words again, I am reminded, again, that nowhere but in The Cross of Christ can women find such equality, such voice, such victory. Thank You, Lord, that we are so valued. Thank You, Jesus, for that precious liberty!
