As we are led, we follow.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post::You could think of this as part two of this earlier post.::
Sometimes I find myself in heated discussions with fellow Christians about women and submission to men. I know I often come off as belligerent and unwilling to submit, but that has never -- never! -- been my intention. I will follow a good leader willingly. A good leader does not demand to be followed at threat of shame, damnation, or exclusion. A good leader is such that there is no need to ask for followers; people want to follow a good leader.
Christ is our example of a leader, and our following him is the example of a follower submitting to the leader. We follow as well as we are led, and a man arguing a woman into the ground, demanding that she submit, is not the example Christ provided for leadership. It is no small wonder, with our human definitions of what a leader is, that people rebel against authority. Our human version of authority is severely tainted by sin. Our version of leadership is full of pride and love of power and envy and control.
Leading by forced submission, out of love for control, or out of a need to remain at a higher level creates rebellion, anger, dissatisfaction and hatred in those forced to follow.
Leadership has nothing to do with control of the follower, but instead, is a form of severe love for the follower. The love of the follower by the leader makes the follower want to follow, makes the follower want to be loyal.
Did you catch that? Makes someone want. It's the idea of total free will and totally predestined that I talked briefly about here.
Most people will follow a good leader. And most women will follow a husband if he leads like Christ, for there is no need to worry about degradation, subservience, or any kind of abuse. Christ's example of leadership was as a servant, and full of severe love.
Christ leads. We follow. It trickles down into all areas of life, if we could only adhere even just a little bit to his perfect example.
Labels: christianity, women
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 2/13/2008 08:07:00 PM
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