A Tale Of A Servant And A Helper Who Is Just Right For Him

Last Sunday in church I heard an incredible sermon on 'Hope For Broken Families'. I never heard a story of creation of human beings with such rich background and presented at that particular angle.

Genesis 2:27

They both - male and female reflected God's image - two different sets of God's character traits. 

She is a help mate – like in ‘God is my help’ not a servant, but it is the same word as in verses describing God as our help. They were both naked and they were not ashamed, because there was no sin in their lives, so there was no shame, as there was nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to cover up.

           

Then serpent appears and asks ‘did God really say that…?’ She eats of the fruit and gives the fruit to the man.

THE CURSE follows: 

She will want to control him 

but he will rule over her. 

Genesis 3:16 (living translation)

Ever since it's a default - there is no harmony, there is a war. 

Christ has broken the curse. There is a choice to live in spite of default. Here's how:

Ephesians 5:25-33

– the woman is to submit, the man is to serve. 

That is a choice possible  because Christ provided the way out. 

It is easy to submit to a man who is giving himself up for her every day. 

Forget fragile ego. 

Expectation of her submission is warranted by him being a servant, nothing else. 

However, it only works if both are intentional. 

All the time. 

Otherwise - default to the curse - she wants to control, but he rules.

I know, stuff needs to be done and if he is slacking off, she has to pick up that slack. Or 'encourage' to get on with it already... I have been there - three (3) times. It is a nightmare, yep, the curse. 

My friend could not hold tears back and did not stay for prayer - she just said 'when a man is passive, a controlling woman is bound to happen' - and left. I agree, the curse is there, the freedom to live above the curse is available. BUT, it is work, it is intentional - for both man and wife. 

I came home still in awe of what I heard and grasped a hold of. Wrote it down and kept thinking...

So every time the man behaves as servant toward you, make sure to thank and encourage that behavior, because that is exactly what you want him to act like toward you, so your relationship is a happy one - closer to harmony than the curse. 

You support, encourage, inspire. NO nagging. 

It's not easy, but doable together - can't be done by a woman only - I tried. It fails by design.

P.S. I have gotten a book on how to cultivate cooperation in relationships - another step in my Happiness Project.