I know, odd post title. Hear me out.
A few weekends ago I got a chance to sit in my favorite coffee shop (EVER. – well, at least so far) with a friend. Just sitting there, enjoying life. Journaling, sipping, talking, reading. I was doing some people watching (ok, I was eavesdropping on a conversation). This is what is so fabulous about coffee shops (and the Red Vanilla Chai Latte that was I sipping on that can only be found in Quills in Louisville).
So…I desire and digress…back to the conversation at hand.
The conversation was between two twenty-something women. Both cool Louisvillians who seemed like everyone else in Louisville. You know the cool Sojourn-esque artist, type look I’m talking about. Anyway…
One of them said to the other: “I used to think that wanting a man to lead in a relationship was great. Then I grew up. Then I matured. Now I don’t mind taking the lead and asserting myself. Why did I ever think that was wrong?”
BECAUSE IT IS! I really contained myself, grabbed my moleskin, and jotted it down. But, seriously, my heart broke for this young lady.
That is what our world trains women to think: that submission (to our husbands) is demeaning, immature, uncreative, death, borderline abuse, etc). When in reality – submission to Christ is the safest place we can be. And if God has supplied us with a husband – then that should be a joy to serve and submit joyfully and respectfully to them.
Instead, what I heard from this young lady is that the more mature I’ve gotten the more I want to be independent, free from constraint, in charge of my whole world, not wanting to submit to anyone but me. Well, that my friend, is a lie straight from Satan himself and one that is so harmful to a generation of ladies. But, seriously, it can affect all ladies at one time or another if we are unfamiliar to the truths of God’s Word or unwilling to live by those Words of Life.
Ephesians 5:20-24: “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything.”
And ultimately, if women are not willing to be lead and submit to their own husbands: then their problem isn’t with their husbands: it is usually more of a problem with their relationship with Christ. He has all authority (Matthew 28, Colossians 1).
So, dear Quills’ ladies: I pray that you will find rest and wisdom and trust and submission and ease of command in Christ. That He would be your all. That you would seek life and fulfillment and security there. That you would not feel the need to assert and lead. That Christ would be the head of your life, your soul, your mind, and your body. Your eternity depends on how Christ took the low place, served, and gave Himself a ransom for many.
Sincerely, Quill’s Red Vanilla Chai Latter Drinker, kim