As I read about the recent Women’s March on Washington, I am heartbroken over the hate and anger that many women have allowed to fester inside their hearts, particularly toward men. In the pursuit of equality, it seems many are actually seeking inequality through hateful speech and thought toward men. I am not saying all men are the victims here and that they are completely innocent, but I hope that, as women, we can be the bigger people in this day and give men grace by allowing them to “be a man”. I think it can start with stepping aside to let them open the doors for us, by encouraging them to lead.
God created men and women with different and unique roles- neither is superior to the other, they are equally important and without the one, the other will not function as it was intended. Men were designed to be in authority over his wife and his household. Not superior. He was given authority. Our men have woven into their DNA the desire to serve and protect their family; they want to feel important, needed, they want to feel manly. I grew up with 2 brothers (and a beautiful sister), and whatever game we played together, my brothers always wanted to be the heroes. They wanted to be the one rescuing and protecting my sister and I. They wanted to provide, they wanted to support. Men cannot help but to act on their desire to satisfy their God-infused ability to serve and provide for their family, whether they know it now or not. So, ladies, let the men open the door for you next time.
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I am afraid that many women in the pursuit of women’s equality have allowed their fight to be colored with anger toward men, and to shift from a desire for equality to revenge and dominance over men. I think that makes us, as women, look weak. I think in order to be strong and empowered we need to be comfortable and content in our identity as women, without degrading men and making them feel “less”. As crazy as this sounds, the more we have tried to take over the man’s role as provider and protector, it is causing them to fight back to preserve what is their unique role. Let’s not get into the habit of thinking that because women’s primary role is not provider or protector that women are somehow weaker and not as important. Not so the case. Women are the crowning point of creation! After God created Eve, He said it was good and then creation was complete. And He rested. (Gen. 2:2, 20-22). God has called the woman to support and encourage her husband, to win him over with her love (1 Pet. 3:1). Women bring life to the world and nurture it. What a unique and special task we have been called to.
I don’t know about you, but I hope that one day my husband would fight for me. That he would wake up each day and think about the ways in which he can better serve me and provide for me; the ways in which he can cherish me as his wife. Because that is what God has commanded him to, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” (Col. 3:18). “Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the (physically) weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life.” (I Pet. 3:7). Men have been commanded to love and respect their woman, to be an heir with her in this precious gift we call life. And I firmly believe that allowing them to fulfill their role, to “be a man," will, iin turn, give them the room to respect and honor women; to restore equality between men and women. So ladies, let the man open the door.
Written by my dear friend, Michaela Bubak.
