Submission Brings Freedom?

What do you think of when you hear the word submission, as in submitting to your husband? Do you think, “fear,” or “giving up control?” I can relate to both of these. But my prayer now, after being in this study, Falling in Love Again With Your Husband, is that I would think, “Freedom!” I would love to submit to my husband in such a way that I feel FREE—free from the burdens of making decisions I don’t need to make, and more importantly, to let my husband carry the responsibilities he is called to carry. I really don’t have to do everything!

This past week, I wanted to focus on specific actions I could take to purposefully show respect to my husband. I intentionally went to him with issues I would normally take to a friend and asked his opinion. I texted him to tell him I appreciated and loved him. I thanked him versus instructing him when he completed a task very differently than I would have. I am praising God for this study because I am seeing the many ways my words and actions towards my husband are not respectful to him or glorifying to God.

This week, Laurie gave us a beautiful illustration. She told us the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—provide the ultimate model for relationships within the body of Christ and for marriage.  What a beautiful example! They are three separate beings but also ONE. They are co-equal but have different roles. They show us how unity and distinction can co-exist perfectly.

If we apply that model to human relationships, specifically marriage, we see that God created man first, in His own image. He then created woman, also in His own image, but as a helper for man. “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him,’” (Gen 2:18 NLT). And who helps the woman?  The Holy Spirit, who is present in all believers, who helps us in countless ways be more obedient to God’s Word and will.

This is of huge importance, because it shows that God did not create women as inferior beings to man. We are co-equals with our husbands, but we are to fulfill different roles; roles the Lord Himself has ordained. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and to be willing to lay down his life for her.  The wife is to submit to her husband and lovingly be his helpmate.  “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” (Ephesians 5:22, 25).

I know the topic of submission can make unbelievers angry and dismiss Christianity as irrelevant.  Believers may feel uncomfortable broaching the topic. It’s very emotionally charged because our culture bombards us with messages that women are oppressed by men. I am praying that as believers, we can walk out 1 Peter 3:1-2 (NIV), “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”  I am praying the Lord gives us a gentle and quiet spirit which will help us to be Christ to our husbands and to the world around us.  We need the Word of God, not the world, to serve as our compass.

May we revere our husbands and the calling the Lord has placed upon His life, remembering it is a very high calling indeed.

Growing in Grace