“Ma, Dad is so stubborn. What he says goes. “Ah, the man is the head of the house!”
Let me tell you something, Toula. The man is the head, but the woman is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants.”
This is one of my favorite lines from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” And although it’s meant to be comical, I wanted to point out truth in it, the way God intended.
God ordained that a wife would have tremendous power in her marriage, even as she willingly submits to her husband.
God, once again, reveals His power of irony which flies in the face of reason and the world’s methods. He says, obey Me, and I will give you the desires of your heart.
So while so many women on a crusade for “freedom, independence and power” struggle to make their case, God shakes His head…”Just do it My way.” This is one of several secrets to a happy marriage.
In a meek and gentle spirit is power. In a spirit of willing submission is influence. In the act of deference is freedom and preference.
God never says that women are less. Quite the opposite. Scripture calls women “the glory of man.” And because man is the glory of God, we are literally “the glory of the glory.” His crowning creation. (1 Corinthians 11:7)
Why do we feel the need to redefine His perfect Word? God so carefully designed the marital relationship that if we obey, we ultimately do have a great influence in our home…in fact, the greatest. For good or for bad. He made us the neck! That’s no little task, ladies.
And yes, a husband is given the grave responsibility as the head to guide and lead in total humility, love and submission to the Father, daily laying down his life, just as Christ did. Only then is he obeying Scripture’s command for him.
There is beauty, peace and harmony when we submit to God’s order. But we must remember how powerful our influence over our husbands is, and be careful to exercise that power with wisdom and godliness. In many ways, as the neck, we lead our husbands.
And may we all find contentment as our Lord gave us example…”I came to do the will of Him who sent me.” Not his own will…but “Thine be done.”
