REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on January 8, 2019, is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Marriage Still Ain’t Equal’ but for a Different Reason Than Mrs. Obama’s”
2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Michelle Obama, in her bestseller Becoming (2018), argues that “women can’t experience equality in both their professional and personal lives at the same time.” Calling the idea of having it all a “lie,” she quipped, “Marriage still ain’t equal.” She is right, of course, since women still juggle work and family far more than men. Mothers—not fathers—are the ones taking maternity leave. And no matter how generous the maternity package may be, months away from work inevitably mean lost or delayed opportunities to gain skills, experience, and networking that contribute to upward mobility.
Nevertheless, I disagree with Mrs. Obama’s conclusion that marriage isn’t equal because it is skewed toward women. Why? Because her concerns, though legitimate, are limited to “this world…[that] is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31a). Her viewpoint is, in essence, secular. But when marriage is viewed through the lens of “the age to come, eternal life” (Lk. 18:30b NIV), we see something different: marriage isn’t equal because it is actually skewed toward men.
How so? Scripture teaches that while salvation is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8–9), rewards in heaven are based on good deeds done on earth (Matt. 10:40–42). And one good deed specifically mentioned for women is “bringing up children” (1 Tim. 5:10). This does not diminish the father’s role (often more associated with discipline—Heb. 12:7), but it highlights a unique and formative influence that mothers typically have.
Let me illustrate. A dear relative of mine was considered a stunning success among Korean mothers. Through tireless work, she became very wealthy, and her sons became a doctor and a lawyer. Yet once her faith in Christ became real in her middle age, she recognized the spiritual poverty of her sons, who did not walk with the Lord. She deeply regretted that God had not been part of their upbringing because she had neglected to include Him. As she was dying of cancer almost 20 years ago—still in her prime—she agonized over the uncertainty of her sons’ eternal destiny.
My point is this: most children first hear about God from their believing mothers; in fact, their earliest experience of discipleship usually comes from them as well. A rabbi, speaking of his own mother, said: “A traditional woman, she saw it as her responsibility that her sons regularly attend Sabbath and holiday worship services and observe common Jewish rituals… While there were many important Jewish influences in my life, there is no doubt my mother was the primary one.” Thus the Yiddish proverb: “God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.”
One such mother was Eunice, the mother of Pastor Timothy. She likely was not highly regarded among the Jews of her day—she married a Gentile and did not circumcise Timothy (Acts 16:1–3), both taboo in Jewish culture. Nevertheless, my late relative, with all her worldly success, might gladly have traded places with Eunice. Why? Because Eunice did something my relative wished she had done: she helped her son develop a sincere faith in God. Listen to Paul’s words to Timothy: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your mother Eunice and now… dwells in you as well” (2 Tim. 1:5).
If you are a parent, you already know that children are not easily impressed by their parents’ faith—they see too much at home. But Timothy was different: he imitated his mother’s faith. This may mean nothing to the world, but it should mean everything to believing mothers.
Yes, “marriage still ain’t equal,” but not for the reason Mrs. Obama gives. It is “unequal” because mothers are uniquely privileged with the first opportunity to shape the eternal destiny of their children. And they will be rewarded for a job well done. This is a high calling from God.
You will never hear this from the trifecta of our leading institutions—the academy, the media, and Hollywood—because they are profoundly secular; for them, this material world is all there is. But they are wrong. “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 Jn. 2:17). Let’s not forget that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we men are so insensitive to the many challenges facing modern women. We make promises to our wives that we will help out with housework, but we end up doing something else, like playing video games! We repent. Help us, God, to be real men! Amen
Bible Reading for Today: Ruth 2
Lunch Break Study
Gloria Steinem, once the most glamorous face of modern feminism, said, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” After making that statement, Steinem began a relationship with a billionaire that lasted for 4 years; when that relationship ended, she married someone else.
Read 1 Corinthians 7:29, 32: “This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none . . . I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man [woman] is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.”
Luke 2:36-38: “And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Matt. 23:3: “So do and observe whatever they [the Pharisees] tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”
Questions to Consider
1. While I am not quite sure what Steinem really meant in her quote (any man or just chauvinistic man or predators like Weinstein or Lauer?), but in what sense can a man be a distraction to a believing woman?
2. Imagine that Steinem and Anna got into a conversation. What would Anna say to Steinem?
3. Ultimately, what error did Steinem make, an error that all teachers have made?
Notes
1. A man or a woman can easily be a distraction to one’s undivided devotion to the Lord, if we allow our devotion and desire for a person to overshadow our time spent with and service unto and thinking about the Lord.
2. “Gloria, you are right, a woman doesn’t need a man for the things only God can give: unconditional and permanent love and acceptance. That’s what He promised in Christ. Upon seeing the baby Jesus at the temple, I thanked God for the consummation of that promise.”
3. I am happy that she found the love of her life and married him. But I hope no impressionable young women took her statement and made it her motto. Steinem’s mistake is the same as that of the Pharisees: “For they preach, but do not practice.” I am guilty of that as well.
Evening Reflection
Did you have another long and hard day at the office and/or home? Are you tired? Exhausted? Here is a comforting passage for the weary:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
