The Ministry Of Being A Husband

The largest thing that shapes our definition of a husband normally is the examples we have seen as we grew up. For those of us who grew up with a Christian backgrounds we understand that being a husband is a biblical concept, but have you ever thought that being a husband is a ministry in itself? This ministry is to be a leader.

Ephesians 5:²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

To be the head is also seen as being out front or simply a "LEADER". To see this word leader associated with husband can be a little unnerving. We want the company of our wives but would rather not take the responsibilities that come with being their leader. Add to that our societies suppression of women and it at times even seems fair to allow the wife to lead and make decisions. However this does not align with the biblical explanation of what a husband is to be.

 

^{Ephesians 5:25} Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

Being a husband is a high calling. A ministry that asks each man to Lead, Love, Cherish, Protect and sacrifice. While I can honestly say that I meet most of these elements especially "cherish" I fail miserably when it comes to being the spiritual leader that God calls me to be. Men if you truly desire to be a husband according to God, you must lead your wife in a walk with God. And no... driving her to church on Sunday is not good enough. We can tell ourselves that since we work a job and fix things on the house and car we show our love. When what our wives are really needing is a friend to lead her, to be strong for her, to support her and be her spiritual guide and most of all show her love forgetting about ourselves. If we can understand our wives need for these things and fight for them in all things, maybe then the house we have built together can be a home of love. This has been a burden on my heart ever since I heard the Sanctus Real song Lead Me. As the song states men, if we try this on our own we will once again fail so let us privately seek God's definition of a husband so we can openly love our wives in the manner that God intended.