The Glory of Man

Lately, I've noticed the Lord teaching me through smaller chunks or phrases out of His Word, instead of through the broader truths that I normally try and cling to.  He has been bringing to life bits and pieces that I would normally blaze right over.

On Sunday morning, during our church's worship gathering, this time was no different.  As we were digging through the difficult topic of gender roles in 1 Corinthians 11, the Holy Spirit threw six words at my heart from the following verse:

For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of god, 

but woman is the glory of man.  

1 Corinthians 11:7

Through the latter chunk of that verse, God chose to do some work on my heart's attitude towards my role as a wife... towards my role of being "the glory of man."  

I later consulted the incredible wisdom of dictionary.com for a clearer meaning of "glory" and here's what I received:

Glory... something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an object of pride...

After reading that interpretation of "glory," I had to confront myself and ask... Am I striving daily to be an object of healthy pride for my husband?  Am I being a source of honor, fame, or admiration for him?  What are areas that I can focus on and improve?  Thus far, God has revealed three ways:

1.  Through my physical appearance.  As a stay-at-home-mom, this can be a tough one.  To make matters more difficult, my husband now works from home and sees me every day.  He sees the me with no make-up, shabby clothes for housework, and extra pregnancy weight around the middle.  Let's face it... men are visual.  No matter how we may try and argue ourselves out of this truth, it's still a fact.  Yes, there's a time and place for comfort and relaxation through what we wear; but, I confess it has become a lazy habit of mine. 

2.  Through my words.  This means not only using my words to encourage him "to his face,"  but also "behind his back."  To speak kindly of him to others instead of taking the opportunity to vent.  A frustrated "oh my gosh, let me tell you about the mess my husband made in the bathroom the other morning" isn't the way to be his "glory."  It can silently create a rift instead of a bond if it becomes my daily topic of conversation.

3.  Through my mind.  As a wife, I have to BELIEVE that I am the glory of man... specifically, the glory of my husband.  If I can't allow that truth to fully sink in my mind, then my actions, appearance, and words will never match up.

You know, our society doesn't really support the Biblical truth of woman being the glory of man.  It actually teaches quite the opposite.  Father, help us as women to walk in Your ways, and in the roles You've designed for us.  Because at the heart of the matter, all the glory belongs to You, anyway.