Our status changes from bachelor to husband as we walk down the aisle and enter into the covenant of marriage. But this is much more than just a casual point of identity; it’s a duty and sacred office of trust before God. And we abdicate our responsibility when we’re husbands in name only.
Husbandry comes with the idea of cultivation and care – to steward what God has entrusted to us. As such, husband is not merely a ceremonial or social title. Like a president or CEO, we too are charged with faithfully executing the office given to us – to guide and grow our homes closer towards God’s best.
For instance, Christ washes the church with God’s word to present her to himself as a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. And husbands are called to love their wives in the same way. This means work is required. To be a husband is to do our part to help our wife radiate in the fullness of glory God has intended for her. And we’ve neglected our duty when “husband” is just a name we wear.
In the same way, we have the responsibility for creating an atmosphere in our home and providing each family member with what they need to do the same. To be the husband of our home is to serve as the lead pastor – shepherding our family and guiding the formation of their souls. And we allow our families to be discipled in darkness when we fail in our duty to husband them toward the light.
Whatever it looks like, we must do more than merely carry the name husband. We must also engage in the work of stewarding all that God has entrusted to our care. And it’s through this active cultivation that we keep from being husbands in name only.
Photo by Mohammad Harris on Unsplash
