My fifteen-year-old daughter currently has a part in the play The Taming of The Shrew. I’ll be honest and tell you that I knew very little of the story except for the obvious revealed in the title. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect as I watched the dress rehearsal last week. I had a good idea that it would be funny and that a shrew would be tamed by the end. I was correct on both accounts. The play was hilarious; the actors and sound effects guy did an outstanding job of working together to achieve over two hours of slapstick comedy at its best. And yes, a shrew did end up tamed by the end. What I wasn’t expecting was God to speak to me personally through this play.
Kate, also known as the shrew, has a moving speech at the end regarding a wife’s duty to submit to her husband. In true Shakespearian language she refers to him as her lord and sovereign and essentially says that since it is his job to care for her why should she offer war instead of peace? She then speaks of placing her hand under his foot in submission and actually lays prostrate before him and does so. His response to this is to rise from his seated position to lift her up to where he stands. He then kisses her and it becomes obvious that both parties are blessed by this change in her.
I don’t know Shakespeare’s intention in writing this play and whether he was poking fun at marriage or women and men’s roles or not and frankly, I don’t really care because I know God’s intention for me in watching this play.
I am, more often than not, a shrew. God undertakes my salvation, sees to it that I am protected and provided for and yet I live to please myself and I often offer war rather than making peace by submitting to God’s Word, His ways, and His means. When He asks me to do what I don’t understand do I complain or comply? Do I place my hand under his foot in subjection? He promises to treat me in the same manner that Petruchio treats Kate when I do. He lifts me up to where He is and showers me with affection. He is glorified and I am truly happy. How do I know this? It’s a promise from His word.
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand (or foot) of God and in due time He will exalt you, casting all your care on Him because He cares for you.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him is the dominion (or glory) forever and ever. Amen. I Peter 5:6,7,10
Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. I must not make war with my earthly husband or my heavenly one. There is no mistaking it, as one who belongs to Christ, I will be tamed little by little throughout my life. The question is, how difficult will I make the process? Will I fight against it and make it more difficult on myself or will I gladly bow, submit, and humble myself before my Sovereign Lord?
Comments
May. 3, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Char
You either need to write something soon on this blog...or e-mail me.....I am in need of a Joy fix.....:)