Now seems like a good time to talk about the fact that pursuing these virtues is not popular in our culture today, nor is it politically correct...
First, the call to love our husbands. Our culture likes talking about love and romance, but when it comes down to the difficult aspects of love- sacrifice, compromise, selflessness- we start getting nervous. We'll discover later on that the love this passage is talking about is phileo, or an enjoyment love. Unfortunately, it's not popular for women to express enjoyment in their husbands. Too often, we hear women complaining about all the things their husbands do wrong and not enough about what they do right. However, God is calling us to love our husbands, sacrificially and passionately.
Next, the call to love our children. Again, our culture likes this idea in its perfect form. People love babies and the pride we feel in our children's accomplishments, but giving up a prestigious job to stay home with our kids?? That's questionable. When people ask me if I work, I tell them that I am staying home with Caleb. Immediately, the next question raised is, "Well, when will you go back?" Honestly, the answer is- unless there is some catastrophic situation- never. But I feel some sort of guilt in that answer. Why? Because our culture quietly whispers that women of real importance work outside the home.
How about self control? Culture HATES this term. That would mean no premarital sex, no gluttony, no drunkenness, no fits of rage... That would mean becoming responsible for our actions. That would mean we'd probably spend a lot less money (and have a lot less heartache). Self control isn't popular because when someone demonstrates it- there's an immediate feeling of guilt by those who don't.
And purity?? How I wish our culture would embrace this!! Purity is such a tender expression of beauty and love. God calls us to live a pure life- especially a sexually pure one- and in so doing, we trust in His plan for our lives, for our marriages and for our bodies. I think we should start a purity revolution. If only it were cool to be pure...
What about being busy at home? There's an immediate adverse reaction to this as well. At home? I have to be busy at home. But that's so boring... At times it may feel boring, but I don't know about you. There's plenty to do around here. And when we care for our homes, we are caring for our families and for the blessings God has entrusted to us. Pretty important, I'd say.
Kindness seems easy enough and surely well accepted, but what about when I am called to be kind to an angry person or if kindness involves sacrificing what I want for what someone else wants. Not so easy after all...
And, finally, submitting to one's husband. Now everyone gets a little anxious. "But my husband doesn't really know what he's talking about," someone says. Or, "That's so outdated." No, actually, it is not. We'll discuss later-on how beautiful submission is- not a sign of weakness, but an opportunity to model Christ.
I'd like to encourage you as we move along that some things in this book will catch you off guard and make you defensive. Please reflect on these things. Is it because culture has told you that you don't have to sacrifice what you want for the sake of others or that you deserve to do what you want to do?
As we strive to be women of God, some sacrifices must be made, but I promise, it's for our good.
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