Our struggle with the question of ʺWhoʹs going to lead [in our marriage]?ʺ seems to be ageless… and that should come as no surprise. One of the repercussions of sinʹs arrival was the onset of a virtually instinctive resistance to servant‐minded leading and humility-driven following.
Iʹm thankful that we can look to God and His Word in order to combat those areas of resistance. When the temptations come, we can reinforce our resolve by remembering the examples of Christ. He led, not by wielding His authority with a tone of condescension toward His disciples, but with loving patience and compassion. Furthermore, He submitted to The Father in all things, without ever negating the oneness that He and The Father share.
ʺYou call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.ʺ
‐ John 13:13‐17
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
‐ Philippians 2:5‐8
When we align our marital roles with Scripture, we not only reinforce our unity with one another, but we also glorify The Lord and fulfill His purposes for our lives as wives and husbands!
(Originally published in July, 2010, in CFL’s Marriage Messenger e-newsletter)
Committed for Life Marriage Ministry 