There are certain things that are fundamentals to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase, “to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy”… The need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence and contribution. – Stephen Covey
When I decided to put on Christ I did it with a lot of zeal and naivety. As I sat in the crowd one night listening to the preacher talk about his overseas trips I made up my mind I was going. I wanted adventures for Christ. When I was 18 I went. And I knew God destined me for this work. I was where I belonged. I went back, and wanted to move, giving my life to overseas ministry in Asia.
Then I met Daniel. He had a heart to serve God, but guess what, not overseas.
I have wrestled with this for 15 years. I still wrestle with it at times. But I am learning a lesson. When God called me to marriage, he called me to adopt my husband’s legacy. This is where we’ll go back to Genesis and the purpose God had for Eve.
God called Eve an ezer kenegdo. That usually gets translated “helper suitable” or “helpmeet.” But one translation that brings it home for me is “sustainer beside him.” Eve wasn’t just an administrative assistant or a house keeper. She was a sustainer beside her man. Now the crazy thing is, that title is used of God himself in relation to Israel in times of distress.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help. Ps 20:1-2
I imagine Adam going through the garden, naming all the animals, seeing their pairs and yearning for a partner of his own. As he looked to the heavens with sorrow God answered the cry of Adams heart with the crown of creation, Eve. God put a piece of himself in her. He sent his help. His rescue to Adam’s heart was Eve. If any woman was created to adopt her husband’s legacy it’s her.
If God called me to marriage, then God called me to stand beside Daniel and use my strength to sustain him just as God purposed this for Eve.
Now let’s jump ahead to the “Worthy Woman.” The scripture says:
“Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Prov. 31:11-2
She bought and sold, worked all night, fed and clothed the family, helped the poor and on and on. It was not for her personal achievement. It was not for her reputation. It was for her man. She did it all to enrich his life and bring him good ALL the days of her life. Her life was dedicated to the cause.
So I have to ask myself the question. Am I dedicated to the same cause? The truth is, not usually.
Do I have my agenda or our agenda? Do I seek personal and professional fulfillment or joint fulfillment? Do I go my day with thoughts of enriching my husband’s life? Am`I about adopting his purpose and his legacy?
(This is a follow-up to Wives Submit? What Does the Bible Say?, Wives Submit? What’s the Big Deal? and Wives Submit? What Submission is NOT.)
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