Are you a Michal or a Hannah?

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

-Ephesians 5:22-33, ESV

Is the church today a submitted bride, or is she the proverbial quarrelsome wife beyond restraint? In today's culture, we have forgotten the gravity of the husband's role as the covering of his bride and the head of his house. We have also perverted the role of wife in an effort of equality. The value is not in one position or the other, but in the unity. The goal is one flesh. The hand cannot be the head and similarly, the head cannot be the hand. As we, the church and bride of Christ, are instructed to be submitted to and respect (recognize one's abilities and qualities) the bridegroom, so are wives instructed to submit to and respect their husbands. And, as the husband is instructed to love as Christ loves and encourage and affirm his wife in the word so that she is washed and cleansed, Christ has promised to do this for us. This is nothing to do with equality, but order. We have two options in responding to this truth. We can be doers of the word or simply be deceived hearers.

Much of the American church today reminds me of David's wife, Michal. Michal was a gift (meant as an obstacle) from Saul to David. Michal fell in love with David's looks. She lied to her father to protect him and even delivered him from Saul's plot to kill him. But Michal's pride and love of prestige caused her to despise David when he didn't act like she expected royalty should act. She lost respect for her husband and spoke to him from a heart that was no longer submitted. Her inappropriate reproach of David costed her the role of queen. "She had no children until the day of her death." God chose to give David children through other wives.

How often do we seek prestige from God, blessings and abundance for all to see? Does it begin with genuine love? Yes, but what do we love? Michal loved David's appearance and then his position. How many in the church are in love with the idea of salvation and are enthralled with God's title and prestige, but are not passionately in love with his character? How ironic considering that Michal means "who is like God." Paul Washer said once, "Everyone wants to go to heaven, they just don't want God to be there when they get there." Michals in the church despise God when their prestige is attacked and they are asked to "suffer shame for the name of Christ." Michals want the title of bride, but not the obligation of submission.

There are other believers I had the privilege to meet who remind me of Hannah, whose name means "gracious" or "favor." Hannah was Elkanah's favorite wife and the mother of the prophet Samuel. She is widely regarded in Jewish history as one of the most noble Hebrews to have ever lived. Hannah was Elkanah's first wife and most likely encouraged him to take on Pininnah as a second wife to provide him sons for heirs. Her love and devotion to Elkanah is seen in her longing to provide him a son. Hannah was often heard crying in prayer to the Lord for a son. In the midst of her sorrow and suffering, Hannah did not lose her devotion to Elkanah or her commitment to the Lord. And though Pininnah (another Michal) was cruel to her, she was steadfast.

Oh, to be a Hannah for the Lord! Devoted to Christ in all circumstances and a life full of prayer and supplication to the Lord. To endure difficulty for the sake of God's glory. To suffer shame so that the name of Christ might be exalted, whether we see reward in this life or the one to come. Will you join with me and vow to submit in all circumstances to Christ? Commit with me to daily acknowledge the abilities and qualities of Christ with a mindset to respect his position as the head of the body. May God grant us the strength to persevere under persecution and to mortify the flesh with it's prideful desires. May we be led by the spirit, clothed and covered in Christ. And, let our marriages in the church be an example of this profound and awesome mystery. Let love be our aim in all things.