As we move on to Chapter 2 in The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace, I urge you to join in the Lux Venit Reading Group! We are just beginning--and this is a wonderful, Biblically grounded book. Make sure and check out Leslie's posts each week. She gives a great overview of what is covered in the chapter, as well as her thoughts. She also lists the women who are posting on the chapter for that week, so you can check out everyone's personal comments. I have really enjoyed that!
I believe that the order of topics that Martha Peace is significant. She makes it abundantly clear through rich, varied scripture references that we must first understand our role and relationship with God before we can fulfill our purpose as an excellent wife. Our desire to glorify our Father is foundational to being able to submit in our marriage relationship. Submission is a choice grounded in love and obedience.
Martha points out how our ministries as wives are primary in our lives. We were created to be suitable helpers for our husbands (Genesis 2:18). All other roles come after this primary role. This concept is not taught in our culture, and even is not stressed clearly in most churches today. This creates so many problems and confusion in marriages today. This perspective has been transformational for me over the past year. I now view my husband much more clearly as my primary ministry, and the fulfillment that has brought has been amazing!
The two key points that have led to my perspective shift:
- My need to focus on God, and not myself. Selfishness breeds unending problems. As Peace points out, we must "fix our eyes on Jesus" as we run our race (Hebrew 12:1-2).
- The absolute necessity of choosing obedience. We are called to "stand firm" against the "schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6). The only way to stand firm is obedience, and we must CHOOSE it--it does not just happen. Choosing to obey and submit in my marriage has been powerful.
On a side note: If your husband is looking for a great book to read on the role of the husband, I would recommend The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott. It is the companion book to The Excellent Wife.
9 comments:
That is so true what you say about choosing to be obedient....it is a CHOICE isn't it? Like you say it doesn't happen naturally.....good point, Kelly. I enjoyed reading you thoughts on chapter 2 and thanks for the heads up on the husband book too.
We definitely live in a time when society's definition of the wife's role is far from the Biblical definition! We're bombarded with it everyday...no wonder we have a hard time realizing our own disobedience.
Good points, Kelly.
Great post! For me, I know that I have not been instructed in this way in church. And I have had (and will have to) adjust my thinking and my life to reflect God's will for wives. It's a choice that God has empowered me through His Spirit to make, and I pray that I can do it with joy.
What a timely post. I need to get this book. Until then I will keep reading what others are saying about it. I have got to get over the selfishness I know God hates to see in my life.
You are a blessing,
Linda
By the way I have a little something for you at my blog.
Blessings,
Linda
Awesome post! It has been quite a shift for me to truly focus on God, and I have to admit that it's been within the past 6 or 7 years that I was even *taught* that. Even Christian authors tend to put the focus where it shouldn't be. That's why I love authors like Peace and others who speak the truth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this chapter!
"This concept is not taught in our culture, and even is not stressed clearly in most churches today. This creates so many problems and confusion in marriages today"
Amen, this is so true. Thank you.
I'm so glad Leslie is doing this---this book really helped me in so many ways! I love Martha Peace!
Ah, but then there is grace. God's grace is what enables this love and obedience - it is not our willpower.A woman who is actively abiding in Christ through the ministry of His Word to our spirit will walk in obedience.
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