Submission

I'm currently reading "This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence" by John Piper. It's a very good discussion on what marriage is really designed to be and what the focus of marriage is - namely, marriage is designed to be a picture of Christ and His church, and the focus of marriage, just as anything in a Christian's life, should be to glorify the Lord.

I just finished reading the chapter on wifely submission, and there were some wonderful points Piper made that I wanted to share. The chapter on submission is a discussion of 1 Peter 3:1-6:

"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. "

Since the Lord changed my heart about submission, this has been one of my favorite verses. It helps me to remember that regardless of Michael's walk with the Lord, it is always my responsibility before God to honor Michael as my leader and head of our family, and that rather than nagging, making sure my conduct as a Christian woman is appropriate (loving and serving with a cheerful spirit, praying faithfully, encouraging, remaining humble and submitted, and so on) is so much more effective in regards to assisting change I might hope to see in him. Also, most importantly, it reminds me not to fear being submitted - I think that is the most difficult thing, especially for women in general in this era of feminism and "me first" thinking.

Here is Piper's description of a Christian woman according to 1 Peter 3:

"A Christian woman does not put her hope in her husband, or in getting a husband. She does not put her hope in her looks or her intellegence or her creativity. She puts her hope in the promises of God. She is described in Proverbs 31:25: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." She laughs at everything the future could bring because she hopes in God.

She looks away from the troubles and miseries and obstacles of life that seem to make the future bleak, and she focuses her attention on the sovereign power and love of God who rules in heaven and does on earth whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3). She knows her Bible, and she knows her theology of the sovereignty of God, and she knows His promise that He will be with her and will help her and strengthen her no matter what. This is the deep, unshakable root of Christian womanhood."

He then goes on to list a few points about what submission is NOT:

1. Submission does not mean agreeing with everything your husband says.
2. Submission does not mean leaving your brain or your will at the wedding altar.
3. Submission does not mean avoiding every effort to change a husband.
4. Submission does not mean putting the will of the husband before the will of Christ.
5. Submission does not mean that a wife gets her personal, spiritual strength primarily through her husband.
6. Submission does not mean that a wife is to act out of fear.

Then he sums up with an excellent, brief summary describing what submission is:

"...submission is the divine calling of a wife to honor and affirm her husband's leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts."

Ultimately, Piper's point is, since marriage was created to be a parable of the relationship between Christ and His church, when we as wives are demonstrating the kind of submissiveness the church should demonstrate to Christ, we are giving an example to the world (and the rest of the church) how to serve and honor Christ, who laid down His life to redeem us. We are being witnesses, not just through our words, but through our very life - which is a much more powerful witness than just words, anyway!

I'm really enjoying this book. It has several chapters regarding a husband's headship, as well, that were also excellent, and chapters that I haven't yet gotten to regarding singleness, intimacy, childbearing and raising, and divorce. I'm looking forward to making my way through those chapters as well!