by Irene Webster
In recent days, the Lord had me reflect again on what submission to a husband means. Prior to being saved I had a horrific experience with my first husband due to his mental problem. My divorce culminated in abuse and violence.
Three years later during my relationship with my fiancée, I surrendered to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and out of obedience to God I separated from him. However, we ended up marrying and for 19 years before his passing away, had an almost ideal relationship. It was during this marriage when I learned how a marriage should work in the eyes of God.
Without any questions, I willingly submitted myself to my husband’s headship and authority, despite his many foolish mistakes. Although the majority of his decisions were sound, he usually did so without consulting me. However, one of his decisions failed miserably and left us financially destitute. I had urged my husband prior that we should pray over it together. However, he did not sense the same urgency as I did, so we did not pray together.
This is when I believe God broke him of pride. He repented for not listening to me and began asking what I thought was best. He realized the gift I was to him because of the insight God gave me. From this point on, our marriage was more of a partnership with each one of us deferring to the other.
We both came to a point in our understanding of God ‘s intention for a good marriage, both man and woman, operate out of love, trying to please the other more than themselves. Even more than this, they seek God ‘s will. It was because of praying together, and mutual submission, that our marriage grew exponentially, all starting with the breaking of pride and control.
We both learned how to submit to one another. It turned out my husband needed my respect desperately and I needed to be loved but the reality was our mutual respect was a demonstration of unconditional love, and this type of love sacrifices ‘self-will’ just as Jesus Christ did by submitting to his Father and sacrificing his own life by dying for his bride, the church.
Strange as it might seem, more than anything I had a desire to submit to his leadership, all the while I felt protected. It is hard to explain, but if a Christian couple truly loves the Lord Jesus Christ, putting His will first in their lives creates a mutual tapestry of submitted and sacrificial love much like the sacrificial blood our Lord shed to cover our sins. Think on this beloved…
In His matchless love,
Rev Irene
Unconditional Love and Submission Part 2
