The Father’s headship [1 Corinthians 11:3] is acknowledged [by the Son with] mutual delight, respect, and love. There is no inequality of ability or dignity. We are differently gendered to reflect this life within the Trinity. Male and female are invited to mirror and reflect the “dance” of the Trinity, loving, self-sacrificing authority and loving, courageous submission. The Son takes a subordinate role, and in that movement he shows not his weakness but his greatness. (Hardcover, p. 176; paperback, p. 198)
THE DANCE OF GENDER. Dancing is a good metaphor for understanding gender differences. Usually, one person is moving forward and the other backward so that the couple can execute the dance steps. There is also traditionally one partner who is the lead. If both parties fought to be the lead, there would be no dance. When you dance well, it is a joy. Most of everyday life is more like running a marathon. There are chores, careers, housing crises of various kinds, financial decisions, and too little time to get everything done. It becomes easier to do all our tasks beside one another instead of with one another. When we fail to work cooperatively we lose the dance.
Reflection: How can you bring back “dance” in your marriage? Think of ways to do things together rather than separately. Think of ways to experience intimacy in order to recover the dancing in your life.
Thought for prayer: After making the lists through the reflection above, pray to God to give you the wisdom and self-control to follow through, to reinject both cooperation and joy into your marriage.