(Click here to read Part 1 of this series.)
So, why was Paul so adamant about women covering their heads?
The veil is an interesting article of clothing in the Bible. It was an essential item in a woman’s
wardrobe, but not only for practical purposes like keeping warm or covering up bad hair days. It was a symbol of submission. When a woman put a veil on her head, she was demonstrating that she saw herself as under the covering of someone else’s authority. When Rebekah sees Isaac coming toward her in Genesis 24, she quickly covers herself with a veil as a sign that she is willing to accept his offer to be her covering.
In the early church, some women were abandoning head coverings and the ideas that they symbolized. Paul wrote strongly to the Corinthian church leaders on this issue, saying that it was shameful for women to pray or prophesy publicly without a head covering. In his letter, Paul lays out guidelines for church meetings. He makes it clear that participation requires women to acknowledge the headship of men and men to acknowledge the headship of Christ. This is the appropriate response when we understand that Jesus acknowledged the headship of his Father when he obediently went to the Cross—and THAT was the kicker for me.
When I realized that Jesus was submitted, it was no longer a role that I could despise. I began to see it as a privilege and an honor. As my heart softened on this issue, I also began to understand that God was not insulting me by giving me leaders. The fact that God charges men with the important task of leading, caring for, and protecting women is not an insult to women—it honors us. I also began to see submission more as a response to God than as a response to men. When I submit to human leaders (who are imperfect), I am actually responding to God, whom I trust to take care of me if my human leaders fail. In this way, submitting is a bold act of faith.
Understanding this made me eager to practice it. But as a single woman living hours away from her parents, I wondered to whom I could submit. I prayed and felt that God told me to look for mothers and fathers in the church. There were three practical actions I took as a response to this:
1. I vocalized my commitment to CCOJ to my elders.
2. I asked an older woman to mentor me.
3. I asked a married couple to help me navigate romantic relationships.
Now, here is my question for you, ladies: do you know who your leaders are, and do they know they are leading you? If your answer is no, then I would encourage you to have a conversation with your church elders about what commitment to your church and their leadership looks like. When you can answer yes to this question, you are putting the veil of submission to use as you journey through the single life.
Up next: we'll examine the second item in our survival handbag, the flashlight, and its dual purpose of revealing and guarding our hearts.
Going green!
Lynn Fleshman
So, why was Paul so adamant about women covering their heads?
The veil is an interesting article of clothing in the Bible. It was an essential item in a woman’s
wardrobe, but not only for practical purposes like keeping warm or covering up bad hair days. It was a symbol of submission. When a woman put a veil on her head, she was demonstrating that she saw herself as under the covering of someone else’s authority. When Rebekah sees Isaac coming toward her in Genesis 24, she quickly covers herself with a veil as a sign that she is willing to accept his offer to be her covering.
In the early church, some women were abandoning head coverings and the ideas that they symbolized. Paul wrote strongly to the Corinthian church leaders on this issue, saying that it was shameful for women to pray or prophesy publicly without a head covering. In his letter, Paul lays out guidelines for church meetings. He makes it clear that participation requires women to acknowledge the headship of men and men to acknowledge the headship of Christ. This is the appropriate response when we understand that Jesus acknowledged the headship of his Father when he obediently went to the Cross—and THAT was the kicker for me.
When I realized that Jesus was submitted, it was no longer a role that I could despise. I began to see it as a privilege and an honor. As my heart softened on this issue, I also began to understand that God was not insulting me by giving me leaders. The fact that God charges men with the important task of leading, caring for, and protecting women is not an insult to women—it honors us. I also began to see submission more as a response to God than as a response to men. When I submit to human leaders (who are imperfect), I am actually responding to God, whom I trust to take care of me if my human leaders fail. In this way, submitting is a bold act of faith.
Understanding this made me eager to practice it. But as a single woman living hours away from her parents, I wondered to whom I could submit. I prayed and felt that God told me to look for mothers and fathers in the church. There were three practical actions I took as a response to this:
1. I vocalized my commitment to CCOJ to my elders.
2. I asked an older woman to mentor me.
3. I asked a married couple to help me navigate romantic relationships.
Now, here is my question for you, ladies: do you know who your leaders are, and do they know they are leading you? If your answer is no, then I would encourage you to have a conversation with your church elders about what commitment to your church and their leadership looks like. When you can answer yes to this question, you are putting the veil of submission to use as you journey through the single life.
Up next: we'll examine the second item in our survival handbag, the flashlight, and its dual purpose of revealing and guarding our hearts.
Going green!
Lynn Fleshman
November 3, 2009 at 3:19 PM
You're so wise Lynn, and wonderfully creative!
November 22, 2009 at 10:54 PM
I so admire you Lynn! Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. I find myself even more inspired to submit! (Luv it when those once 'negative' words get restored... God's recently did a renovation on 'obedience' with me and now I find myself crazy excited to experience more of His goodness via submission & obedience... practically hand-in-hand). xox