Our Struggle To Be An Ephesians 5 Man
Seven thousand years ago God created man. Not to put words in his mouth but Im pretty much sure it went something like this: "Lord,(Speaking in third person because, well, he's God) look at that fool wondering around like a lost puppy. I need something to fire his butt up." He needed a motivator that would make that man charge through walls. Well, being God, he did it, probably too well. In comes Eve and we would never be the same. God designed something in our DNA that when looking at a woman we love makes us lose our freaking mind. That motivating factor God was looking for can, just like alot of things, be both good and bad. You only have to read on a little forward to figure out what Im saying is true. I mean Adam talked and walked with God, yes THE GOD, but still that woman had that boy so wrapped he totally forgot all about God to please her. I mean you are in paradise, with the most beautiful woman in the world, well the only one but still, and you still screw it up. I think that may have been the problem. Just my opinion, but what man do you know that hasn't lost all sense when his lady is naked. Just sayin.... Another DNA quirk that he stuck us with. God and nature label us at the top of the food chain, but we have one kryptonite, women.
That being said, that original motivating factor God was seeking has displayed itself time after time throughout history. A bad woman can be a mans destruction but a good one will be his glory. Many mighty and powerful men thoughout history would have never reached the levels they did if it wasn't for a mighty force pushing him, encouraging him, standing beside him and believing in him when no one else did. Theres a country song that talks about dad being a strong and tough man, not to be messed with, but you should see him come running when momma calls his name. Thats what happens when a woman wins a mans heart. He will charge hell with a water pistol for her. No one can tell him anything. As Percy Sledge said, he will turn his back on his best friend if he puts he down. The problem comes when we win that love. What do we do with it, how do we act, and how do we keep from getting complacent. The moment that happens we start to lose grip on the greatest gift, behind his son, that he ever gave us.
True, there are negative female influences in the world. It's the nature of evil and the world we occupy. Same thing with men, it doesn't matter what we say or do or how good of a woman he has, he's just not going to get it. He will lose her and wonder why. But God gave us the blueprints for the road to a successful relationship and marraige. He did it for both men and women. God gave us the most wonderful thing when he created woman. He also gave us a direction to build her up, make her strong and respectful of her man. Just as he gave women the blueprint to keep and maintain the love, honor and respect of her husband. But its not easy.
I frequently say to have a Proverbs 31 wife you need to be an Ephesians 5 man. You can read those scriptures and it seems simple but truthfully it requires more dedication, perseverance, and loyalty than we are equipped for by ourselves. Read those passages, really read word for word and comprehend what its saying. Ok, let me say it this way. Who is the author of love, true and pure love? God! What is the greatest show of love in all of mankinds history? The gift God gave when he sent his son to take on our sins, everything we had done wrong and will do wrong. The ultimate sacrifice. The ultimate love. Now realize that he was mocked, beaten, persecuted by the very people he was here to save. But yet when time came, he stepped in front of those that beat and mocked him and took the bullet for them. For you and me. We daily reject him and break his heart and he knew we would but he still took our punishment. Why? Love!!! So keeping that in mind, read Ephesians 5: 25 again. That love he had for us, that sacrificial love is the level of love we are to love our wives.
I was sitting at a picnic table talking with, little did I know, someone that was about to impact my life forever when I looked around. There was a sweet old couple walking near us. Had to be in their late 70s to 80s and could barely walk. You know just that slow shuffle. But he held her hand like a teenage boy at the movies with his first love. They looked like that teenage couple in love for the first time. I had been struggling with failed relationships, hurt and pain. I had read Ephesians 5 hundreds of times but I never got it. God in his slick way of just putting us in the position for it to click, placed me there at that table, in that conversation, and where I could see them. Over a pan of strawberry cupcakes, a smiling face, and an old couple holding hands I got it. Spent half of my life searching for the answers and it was right there in front of me. The kind of love that Christ shared and Paul talks about in his letter to Ephesia is a rare and wonderful thing. But its not just an emotion. Its dedication. Its a covenant not a contract. In a contract you look out for your own interests and not the other party's. It provides a way out. A covenant is a bond forged for life. The others person and interests are your priorities. You dont bail from it, you stick it out no matter what. Hurt? Tough. Hard? Tough. You fight because your priority is not you, its them. The ultimte love and symbol of that love is sacrifice.
So sitting at a picnic table eating the most delicious strawberry cupcakes I've ever tasted, and haven't had since, (hint hint) I found what God had intended for us from the beginning. The beauty and love of a woman depends on how we build her up, place her on a pedestal. treasure her as the gift she was given to be. If you truely want that lady talked about in Proverbs 31, then look at the lady God placed beside you and build her up, love her unconditionaly and never ever give up. Your faith, love and loyalty will earn you the love and honor of your Proverbs 31 lady. Try it. I dare you!
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