Devotional -

God's Ordained Structure ( 27 February )

About this Devotional
Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had: He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death-his death on the cross. For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:3-11

My wife and I have recently been observing a mature believing couple as they move into a very challenging season of their life and relationship. The husband, although extremely intelligent, has been battling with a progressively debilitating illness that is also significantly affecting his mental capacities. It has been a marvelous testimony watching his dear wife faithfully esteeming and upholding him as head of their family-inwardly with all family members, and externally toward their circles of friends.

Obediently and joyfully accepting God's ordained structure regardless of mental or physical capability gives opportunity to demonstrate our humility and the Lord's power.

My wife is clearly more educated than I am. She has a deep faith and commitment to the Lord and his word. On top of this (or maybe because of this) she has a very pleasant, approachable temperament. Some could say, from a purely logical perspective, that she should be the head, the leader-no one could question her capability.

Before we married, my wife made a choice to regard me as head of our family. On this premise we raised our children and maneuvered through the obstacles and challenges of life together. This structure provided a healthy and stable environment for the family to flourish.

The choice to yield stems from the confidence that we are beloved and safe in Christ, and it is a demonstration that we live our lives trusting and believing that God is good and just, makes no mistakes, and knows our needs.

- 27 FEBRUARY -