I am still reading The Mark of a Man by Elizabeth Elliot, but it has been the best book I have read this year! Even better then Same Kind of Different as Me, which I also reeeeeally enjoyed. Anyway, back to the book: Elizabeth Elliot (widow of Jim Elliot, martyred missionary [Through Gates of Splendor and At the End of a Spear]) writes this book to her nephew telling him how to be a masculine man in our time of denying God's original plan for men and women. Not just men benefit from this book: Elizabeth also address women in some chapters; and the whole premise is a great one for women to know as well.
An exerpt from the chapter entitled Feminity Means Response:
Eve was made to order. God saw the shape of Adam's need and designed a woman to fit exactly in every way. She was made to be an adapter. When you're looking for the right woman to marry, Pete, look for one who is prepared to adapt to you. Now, don't suppose for a moment that you yourself won't budge. When two people live together night and day, for life, both of them need to give and take....
But if you find a woman who is ready to go where you go and do what you do without brooding about being "her own person", you'll have found a treasure. She will have to be a woman who has submitted herself to God, first of all...
The important thing for you, as a man, to remember, Pete, is that a woman cannot properly be the respnder unless the man is properly the initiator. He must take the lead so that she may follow, as in a dance. The willingness of each to perform the "steps" that have been choreographed gives the other freedom....It is a matter of placement. It does not necessarily imply that one is of lesser worthanymore then Jesus' being placed in a position "inferior to angels" suggests that angels are more worthy then Jesus.
