The Idolization of Marriage and Motherhood: A Threat to the Church
A few years ago, I attended a baby shower where a statement was made that has stuck with me ever since. “Motherhood is a woman’s highest calling,” someone said with conviction. The room fell silent, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort. As I looked around at my friends, some of whom were struggling with infertility or singleness, I knew that this statement was not only hurtful but also untrue.
The Dangers of Moralizing Marriage and Motherhood
As Christians, we often elevate marriage and motherhood to a pedestal, unknowingly creating a hierarchy within the church. We assume that those who are married and have children are more mature, more spiritual, and more fulfilled. But what about those who are single or childless? Do they not have a vital role to play in the body of Christ?
The False Promise of Fulfillment
We’ve been sold a lie that marriage and motherhood are the keys to ultimate fulfillment. But what happens when these idols fail to deliver? When our spouses and children disappoint us, or when we struggle with the challenges of parenting, we’re left feeling empty and unfulfilled. That’s because we’ve placed our hope in the wrong things.
A Higher Calling
As women, our highest calling is not limited to a temporary role on earth. We are called to seek the things that are above, where Christ is. We are called to find our identity and purpose in Him, not in our marital status or parental role.
The Beauty of Diversity
The church is meant to be a diverse and vibrant community, where people from all walks of life come together to worship and serve. By elevating marriage and motherhood above other roles, we diminish this diversity and create a narrow and exclusive definition of what it means to be a woman.
Seeking the Giver, Not the Gifts
As we navigate the complexities of life, let’s not forget that our ultimate goal is to seek the giver, not the gifts. Let’s not settle for the fleeting pleasures of this world but instead pursue the eternal joys of knowing and loving Christ.
A Call to Repentance
If we’ve made marriage and motherhood idols in our lives, it’s time to repent. It’s time to turn our attention back to the one who gives us true fulfillment and purpose. Let’s seek to honor and glorify God in all that we do, whether we’re single or married, childless or parents.
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